Dr Tim Chico, honorary consultant cardiologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, said: "Although this study only examined people aged 60, it is reasonable to assume that the more active someone is throughout their life, the lower their risk of cardiovascular disease.
"The message I take from this study is simple. If you want to reduce your risk of heart disease, be more active. Don't sit down for long periods; get up on your feet and do something you enjoy that involves moving around."
Christopher Allen, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Being physically active is important in maintaining good heart health. But, as this study demonstrates, you don't need a gym membership to do that.
"As long as they make you feel warmer, breathe harder and make your heart beat faster, activities such as DIY and gardening count towards the 150 minutes of moderate-intensity [weekly] activity recommended for a healthy lifestyle."