Moderate Exercise Best for Heart Health, Exceeding Guidelines May Lead to Risks

The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, plus strength training twice a week. Exceeding these guidelines may lead to "athletic heart."

Athletic heart is an enlargement or thickening of the heart in response to high levels of exercise over time. It's common in endurance athletes but not necessarily problematic.

However, athletic heart may increase the risk of some issues like abnormal heart rhythms or coronary artery calcification. But overall, elite athletes do not have a higher cardiovascular disease risk.

Exercise remains extremely beneficial for heart health, even if started later in life. It helps the heart stay strong, flexible, and "young."

Routine moderate exercise as per guidelines promotes cardiovascular benefits without the risks associated with extreme amounts of exercise.