Regular physical activity is a cornerstone of cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, the leading cause of death worldwide.1 However, physical inactivity remains highly prevalent globally.2 Recent evidence shows that even modest, realistic increases in daily activity, such as a few minutes per day, may confer meaningful health benefits,3 highlighting the importance of feasible strategies to move more. Active commuting (walking or cycling to work) offers a practical way to integrate physical activity into daily routines. Yet, its relationship with early atherosclerosis, the primary mechanism underlying CVD, has been largely unexplored.

This infographic summarises key findings from our recent population-based study, the first to investigate the association between active commuting and coronary atherosclerosis assessed using state-of-the-art coronary CT angiography (CCTA), independent of other physical activity and lifestyle factors.