Sedentary Lifestyles Promote Risk for Heart Disease in Women Over 30

A comprehensive study amassing information about over 32,000 Australian women in different age groups found that physical inactivity - not smoking, obesity, or high blood pressure - poses the greatest risk factor for heart disease in women over 30.

That's right ladies; you can look good, feel good, smell good, etc. but if you're physically inactive it will likely have bad implications on your health. Researchers at the University of Queensland divided the 32,000 women into three age groups: 22 to 27; 47 to 52; and 73 to 78. These women in the data were followed for 12 years and answered questions regarding their health.

Unsurprisingly, smoking posed the biggest risk for heart disease among women under 30 years old. But for those over the age of 30, a lack of physical activity posed the greatest risk. For those aged 22-27, eliminating smoking as a part of their lifestyle would prevent nearly 60% of heart disease cases, the researchers noted. Among those in the older age groups, being more active would prevent 33% of heart disease cases in middle-aged women and 24% in older women.

"We need a lot more effort to keep middle-aged women active and then keep them active into old age," Professor Wendy Brown, of the Queensland University's center for research on exercise, physical activity and health, in this BBC News article. "If you can do at least 30 minutes and preferably 45 minutes a day, you'll see huge improvements in your health and reduce your risk of heart disease by half."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physical activity can help control weight as well as reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers. It can also improve mental health. Based on data from 2008, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Tennessee had a inactivity rates over 29%, and they also had higher rates of diabetes and obesity (two major risk factors for heart disease).

Overall, women between the ages 31-90, the population attributable risks were highest for physical inactivity. This quality of the women's lifestyles seemed to dominate above all else, but it could very well be different for women in other countries. Nonetheless, it's safe to say that living a sedentary lifestyle is not particularly healthy for anyone.