hysical activity is widely recommended for maintaining cardiovascular health, yet exercise is not always incorporated into medical treatment as systematically as medication or other clinical interventions.
A new scientific statement from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) argues that this approach should change, with individualized exercise plans becoming a routine part of preventing and managing cardiovascular disease.
Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in October 2026, the statement brings together evidence on physical activity, structured training, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Its central message is practical: regular movement can improve physical capacity, support long-term health, and enhance quality of life, even when the starting point involves only small increases in daily activity.
<h3>Why Fitness Matters for Cardiovascular Health</h3>
Cardiorespiratory fitness describes how effectively the body delivers oxygen to working muscles during sustained activity. It reflects the combined performance of the heart, lungs, circulation, and muscles, making it an important indicator of overall physical capacity.
Physical activity also contributes to managing established risk factors, including high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and impaired glucose regulation. Although exercise cannot replace medication when treatment is needed, it can complement medical care and help address several risk factors simultaneously.
<h3>Small Steps Can Deliver Meaningful Benefits</h3>
One of the most encouraging messages is that substantial improvements do not require an immediate commitment to demanding workouts. Evidence reviewed in the statement suggests that people who move from inactivity to modest daily activity can gain considerable health benefits.
Walking approximately 5,000 to 7,000 steps daily is associated with meaningful health advantages for many people. This range can provide a practical reference for those who currently spend much of the day sitting, rather than treating 10,000 steps as a compulsory minimum.
Step counts, however, are not a universal medical prescription. Appropriate activity levels depend on current fitness, symptoms, existing conditions, and individual treatment goals. A shorter walk may be a sensible starting point for someone who has been inactive for a long time.
<h3>Expert Insight</h3>
Jonathan Myers, PhD, a health research scientist with the Palo Alto VA Healthcare System and chair of the ACC statement's writing committee, emphasized the importance of making exercise a routine part of clinical care. “The most important message is that exercise should be viewed as a fundamental part of cardiovascular health care, not simply as a lifestyle option,”
<h3>Combining Aerobic and Strength Training</h3>
The statement recommends combining aerobic activity with resistance exercise for most people when appropriate. Each type offers different advantages. Aerobic activities, including walking, cycling, and swimming, challenge the cardiovascular system and can improve endurance. Resistance training helps maintain muscular strength and supports everyday tasks such as climbing stairs, carrying groceries, and getting up from a chair.
<h3>Technology and Cardiac Rehabilitation</h3>
Wearable devices can help monitor activity levels and show progress over time. Home-based programs and virtual rehabilitation may also make exercise support more accessible, particularly for people who face transport difficulties or cannot attend regular in-person sessions. Cardiac rehabilitation remains an important component of care for many people with established cardiovascular disease. These programs typically combine supervised physical activity with education and support for managing cardiovascular risk.
<h3>Safety and Individualized Recommendations</h3>
An exercise plan should account for symptoms, medication use, functional capacity, and other health considerations. Most people who are clinically stable and have no concerning symptoms do not require exercise testing before beginning ordinary physical activity. Testing may be useful when a clinician needs more detailed information to guide an individualized program.
People with known cardiovascular disease should discuss appropriate activity levels with their healthcare team, especially when symptoms are present or health status has recently changed. Chest discomfort, faintness, or unusual breathlessness during exercise warrants stopping the activity and seeking appropriate medical advice.
Evidence supports the benefits of improving fitness, combining aerobic and resistance activities, and starting with manageable increases in daily movement. The most effective plan is one that reflects individual health needs and can be maintained over time. By treating exercise as an essential element of care rather than a general suggestion, healthcare professionals may help more people improve cardiovascular health and quality of life.
