Strength Training May Cut Women’s Heart Attack Risk by 44%, Study Finds
A major 2026 study involving more than 117,000 women found that performing at least two hours of strength training each week was associated with a 44% lower risk of heart attack and a 20% lower risk of major cardiovascular disease. While the research does not prove cause and effect, it adds to growing evidence that resistance training—especially when combined with aerobic exercise—can play an important role in protecting women’s heart health.