Doctor says everyone over 30 should do this exercise to reduce risk of heart disease

Maintaining an active lifestyle through various exercises, such as cardio and strength training, is widely recognized as essential for overall health. According to the NHS, incorporating muscle-strengthening activities into one's routine is particularly crucial for slowing down the natural bone and muscle loss that occurs with aging.

To highlight the importance of strength training, a doctor shared its benefits, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, on his popular TikTok account @doctorsood. Doctor Sood MD emphasized: "Muscle mass plays a crucial role in maintaining a truly healthy body especially as we age. Starting as early as our 30s, we naturally lose about 3-5% of our muscle mass each decade, and this can lead to issues such as weaker mobility, frailty and even higher risk of falls."

He further explained: "Strength training can be a powerful tool against this decline. Muscle will help us sustain our daily activities, like getting out of a chair and reduce our risk of fractures, and even reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. This will matter even more as we get older because muscle doesn't just support movement, but it fuels our metabolism, enhances mental resilience, and also prolongs our independence."

The NHS advises that adults should aim to exercise all the major muscle groups at least two days a week, which includes hips, legs, back, chest, abdomen, arms, and shoulders.

According to NHS Live Well: "No specific amount of time is recommended, but a typical training session could take less than 20 minutes. Exercises should be performed to the point at which it would be difficult to do another repetition without help," reports the Mirror.

It's not necessary to hit the gym for strength exercises; alternatives such as yoga, dancing, cycling, hill walking, climbing stairs, and heavy gardening can also effectively work those muscles, as per the NHS guidance.