A British study has found that walking may not be enough to lower the risk of heart disease:
The study of 1975 men aged 49 to 64 from Caerphilly in south Wales found that while vigorous exercise reduced the risk of developing heart disease, light exercise made little difference.
[…]
“We do know that longer and more intense exercise produces the benefits,” he said. However, “the most important thing is that (people) exercise regularly, and they do exercise that they enjoy, and that they keep going long term”.
I also enjoyed this IC Wales write-up about the study:
Rather than taking brisk walks, sailing, bowling or playing golf, the man who wants to keep his heart healthy must begin taking part in activities such as hiking, jogging, swimming, tennis, squash or heavy digging.
Heavy digging? I can’t imagine anyone who’d embark on heavy lifting as part of an exercise regimen ;).