Additional amounts of physical activity seem to lower risk even more. People start to see benefits at levels from physical activity even without meeting the recommendations for 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity. Metabolic syndrome is some combination of too much fat around the waist, high blood pressure, low high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol, high triglycerides, or high blood sugar. Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Regular physical activity can also lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels. You can reduce your risk even further with more physical activity. Getting at least 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity can put you at a lower risk for these diseases. Heart disease and stroke are two leading causes of death in the United States. The good news is that moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, is generally safe for most people.
