Approximately 600000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year, and it is the leading cause of death for both men and women.1 Coronary artery disease occurs when cholesterol-filled plaque builds up in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. Over time, this plaque buildup can cause significant narrowing of the arteries (called atherosclerosis), which may lead to chest pain (angina) or heart attack. Regular exercise is one of the best treatments to prevent coronary artery disease and to decrease your risk of future events if you already have heart disease. There are many modifiable risk factors for coronary artery disease, including smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, being overweight or obese, poor dietary habits, diabetes mellitus, and inactivity. A major step to reducing the risk of coronary artery disease is to increase daily activity and exercise. Not only can exercise reduce the potential for atherosclerotic plaque formation and progression, but it can also help reduce other risk factors such as obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Physical activity is anything that makes the body …