The push to reduce deaths from heart disease has triggered a new campaign which raises awareness among women from ethnically diverse communities about the benefits of exercise.
Research from the Heart Foundation shows most people recognise exercise is good for them, but only seven per cent know it can ward off a range of diseases and illnesses.
Among them is heart disease, a leading cause of death among women.
An Australian woman dies from heart disease every hour of every day, but just a half-hour of physical activity can reduce the risk of heart disease by 35 per cent.
The cardiovascular health director for Heart Foundation New South Wales, Julie Anne Mitchell, sees it as a wonder drug.
"We've surveyed people, and, when we ask them about physical activity, they know that it's good for them, but what they don't know is that it is a wonder drug in actually reducing the risk of a range of diseases," Ms Mitchell said.
As part of Heart Week, she said a new campaign is reaching out to women from culturally diverse communities.
"We know there are cultural barriers for them participating in physical activity. It may be that they can't go to swimming pools or can't exercise in public places."
Surf Life Saving New South Wales' Kaye Wood - who is taking part in the program - told SBS News that the benefits of exercise cannot be underestimated.
"The benefits to cardiovascular health, the benefits all-around to mobility, to your general wellbeing, to the way you feel about yourself in life ... It's important for everybody to keep physical."
Mina Singh Batra, a 91-year-old walker in Sydney, is one of many Australians who has had family members affected by heart disease.
"Yes, unfortunately, two years ago, my son-in-law had to have quadruple open-heart surgery," Ms Batra said.
She said she knows the importance of keeping fit, telling SBS News: "I go for a walk every day, between half an hour to 45 minutes".
