A 2026 Scientific Reports follow-up study found higher aerobic fitness at ages 34 and 52 correlated with reduced arterial stiffness at age 63, remaining statistically significant after controlling for obesity, smoking, and blood pressure.

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Physically active individuals are also more likely to maintain heart health, eat well, refrain from smoking, and experience fewer financial stresses.

The systematic review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in September 2026 found that survival benefits favored intensive aerobic exercises and combined aerobic and strength training, while strength training alone showed no clear association.

A September 2026 Cochrane review of 107 randomized controlled trials involving 26,886 people found exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation reduces heart attacks by 28% and all-cause hospital admissions by 35% compared to no program.

The September 2026 Cochrane review update improved generalizability by enrolling more female participants and recruiting individuals from low- and middle-income countries.

The September 2026 Cochrane review included trials testing traditional and cultural forms of exercise, such as yoga in India and tai chi in China, which may improve appeal for some populations.

The September 2026 Cochrane review update added 22 new trials featuring just under 3,500 participants to the previous 2021 review, which had analyzed 85 trials with 23,430 people.

Women made up only 17% of the 26,886 participants across the 107 trials analyzed in the September 2026 Cochrane review, representing a historical underrepresentation.

The September 2026 Cochrane review suggests that newer home-based and digitally supported cardiac rehabilitation programs are as effective as traditional center-based services.

The September 2026 Cochrane review found that exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation was associated with a borderline significant reduction in the risk of short-term all-cause mortality.

Patients face barriers to attending traditional hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation programs, including work commitments, transportation challenges, and caregiving responsibilities, which disproportionately affect women, older adults, and deprived communities.

The September 2026 Cochrane review authors noted that any incremental mortality benefit of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is likely to be small due to the survival advantages of contemporary medical treatments.

Despite evidence-backed benefits, cardiac rehabilitation remains underused, with England having a 44.5% uptake and Wales having a 71.3% uptake for acute coronary syndrome patients according to the 2025 National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation report.

Studies extending over 36 months in the September 2026 Cochrane review showed that cardiac rehabilitation was associated with lower risks of cardiovascular mortality and fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction.