A new five-year study has reinforced the value of exercise in fighting heart disease. Researchers in Finland and Louisiana studied 128 men between the ages of 50 and 60. Half of them were put on an individual exercise program, which corresponded to brisk walking four or five times a week for 30 to 60 minutes. The others were given a choice of whether or not to engage in exercise.

The men who exercised showed a significant boost in their immune systems, reflected in reduced levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). This protein is associated with inflammation in the lining of the arteries, which is thought to be a step in the build-up of plaque in the arteries. The cells lining the blood vessels in those men also showed improved functioning.

The researchers reported at the recent meeting of the American Heart Association that those who had been determined to have a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease showed the greatest reduction. Their CRP levels showed a 49% reduction, compared to a 1% reduction in the control group.

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