Long-term exercise key in heart attack recovery

March 18, 2009 Swiss researchers looked at 209 heart attack survivors to measure the effects of different types of exercise. They found that after four weeks those who exercised had better blood vessel function. There were no improvements among the men and women who did not work out.

When the participants stopped physical activity, researchers found after one month, all the positive benefits of working out had vanished.

The doctors concluded that long-term and continuing physical activity is key to preventing another heart attack.

The findings are published in the journal Circulation.