Regular exercise can enhance cardiovascular health, even without significant weight loss. Harvard and Brigham and Women's Hospital studies found up to a 41% reduction in cardiovascular risk from moderate exercise.

This benefit isn't solely attributed to weight changes; only 10% was due to body mass index shifts. Blood biomarkers, blood pressure, and cholesterol improvements accounted for the majority of the risk reduction.

Notably, even light activity that burns 200–599 calories weekly decreased cardiovascular risk by 27%. The study shows that the heart benefits from exercise, which extend beyond the numbers on the scale.