Committing to a regular exercise routine can go a long way

(WWLP) - Researchers at Brigham and Women's hospital analyzed weight and exercise data collected from 21 thousand men who were followed for 20 years.

They found men who were active and lean had the lowest risk for heart failure while obese, inactive men had the highest risk.

Any amount of vigorous activity that caused a participant to sweat was associated with an 18 percent reduced risk -- even if it only happened one to three times a month.

Experts say the heart failure risks for obese men have been well established, but this study shows even overweight men are at risk.

The study found, on average, in men who are 5 feet 10 inches tall, for every 7 pounds of excess body weight, the risk of heart failure will go up by 11 percent over the next 20 years.