Daily 3-Minute Movement Reduces Heart Disease Risk in Older Adults: Study
New York: A recent study suggests that just three minutes of moderate daily activity may significantly improve heart health in older adults.
Researchers from the UK and Australia have found that everyday movements—incidental physical activity (IPA)—can meaningfully lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. IPA refers to unstructured activities such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, gardening, or lawn mowing.
The study, published in the journal Circulation, focused on individuals who do not engage in formal exercise routines. Data was collected from 24,139 participants who wore wrist monitors to track their activity levels. The team then assessed how different levels of incidental activity affected cardiovascular health outcomes.
Findings revealed that participants who regularly performed at least three minutes of moderate-intensity incidental activity each day were less likely to experience heart attacks, strokes, or other cardiovascular events. The researchers noted a clear dose-response effect: the more frequently these brief activities occurred, the greater the benefit to heart health.
“Any daily amount of vigorous or moderate-intensity incidental physical activity was associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk,” the researchers stated. They emphasized that even short bursts of activity throughout the day can make a meaningful difference, particularly for individuals who struggle to maintain a structured exercise routine.
This research underscores the health value of routine daily movements, which are often overlooked. For older adults who may have mobility challenges or time constraints, small actions like walking while doing errands or doing light housework could offer important cardiovascular protection.
The researchers concluded that incorporating several short periods of moderate movement into daily life may be an effective, accessible strategy to reduce heart disease risk, especially for those leading more sedentary lifestyles.
Kanchan Chaurasiya joined Medical Dialogues in 2025 as a Media and Marketing Intern. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Arts from Delhi University and has completed certifications in digital marketing. She has a strong interest in health news, content creation, hospital updates, and emerging trends. At Medical Dialogues, Kanchan manages social media and also creates web stories to enhance mobile content reach and audience engagement.