How does Hulk Hogan's death highlight the importance of heart health?

Hulk Hogan, a famous pro wrestler, passed away in July 2025 at the age of 71 due to a heart attack, despite his active lifestyle and fitness regimen. His death has brought renewed attention to the importance of maintaining heart health through exercise.

What are the surprising benefits of just 7,000 steps per day?

According to a new analysis, compared to walking only 2,000 steps per day, people who walked 7,000 steps daily had a 47% lower risk of death from any cause, a 25% lower risk of developing heart disease, about a 50% lower risk of death from heart disease, a 38% lower risk of developing dementia, a 37% lower risk of dying from cancer, a 22% lower risk of depression, and a 28% lower risk of falls.

How does low fitness compare to other risk factors in terms of mortality?

A large study found that a low level of fitness poses a greater risk of death over time than other traditional risk factors that people commonly think of, such as smoking, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and severe kidney disease.

Home / Health / Fitness Trumps Traditional Risks in Longevity, Experts Reveal

Fitness Trumps Traditional Risks in Longevity, Experts Reveal

24 Aug

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Summary

Low fitness poses greater risk of death than smoking, diabetes
Exercise reduces risk of stroke, dementia, and certain cancers
Even 7,000 steps per day provides significant health benefits

Fitness Trumps Traditional Risks in Longevity, Experts Reveal

According to a report published on July 24, 2025, a new study has found that a low level of fitness poses a greater risk of death over time than other traditional risk factors. This revelation comes in the wake of the recent passing of wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, who died at the age of 71 from a heart attack.

Hogan, known for his active lifestyle and fitness regimen, had a history of chronic health issues, including lymphocytic leukemia and atrial fibrillation. His death has sparked renewed discussions about the importance of maintaining heart health through exercise.

Experts emphasize that while bodybuilders may appear outwardly healthy, excessive muscle can actually increase strain on the heart. In contrast, the American Heart Association now considers fitness as an additional vital sign, with the best measure being peak oxygen uptake, or VO2 max, through a cardiopulmonary exercise test.

The research shows that regular exercise not only prolongs lifespan but also improves "health span," the number of years spent in good health. In fact, a large study found that a low level of fitness poses a greater risk of death over time than factors like smoking, diabetes, and severe kidney disease.

Furthermore, exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke, cognitive decline, and certain types of cancer, such as colon, breast, and endometrial cancer. The benefits are achieved through mechanisms like weight management, hormone regulation, and immune system boosting.

While the recommended guidelines call for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week, even "weekend warriors" who cram their exercise into one or two days can still reap the rewards. And the data suggests that it's never too late to start, as exercise can reverse age-related stiffening of the heart.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.