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Short bursts of physical activity cut women’s risk of heart attack

Just a few minutes of vigorous movement per day offers cardiovascular benefits

A woman with long white hair and a white and orange striped sweater is getting physical activity by playing tug of war with a fuzzy tan dog.

Just a small amount of vigorous activity per day ­— like romping with your dog ­— can lower women’s risk of heart attack and other serious cardiovascular problems.

Eleganza/Getty Images

By Meghan Rosen

A dash of vigorous activity a day could keep the heart troubles away.

Women who included short bursts of intense physical activity in their daily routines saw their risk of major cardiovascular problems drop 45 percent compared with women who did none, scientists reported December 3 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.