"When the muscles are stronger, there is less of a demand placed on the heart," notes Franklin, who is also president of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). "Although resistance training may not improve someone's ability to perform on a treadmill, it will help their heart function more efficiently when they have to lift or carry objects, which is what real life is about."

Resistance training also can play a significant role in weight control, since it helps build and maintain lean body mass, he notes. More lean tissue means a higher metabolic rate, which translates to an increased number of calories burned throughout the day.

For men with what the advisory terms "low-risk cardiovascular disease," an appropriately prescribed and supervised weight training program can be particularly beneficial, "since many cardiac patients lack the physical strength and/or self-confidence to perform common activities of daily living." For other groups of cardiac patients -- including women and people with more severe disease -- the AHA experts caution that more research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of resistance exercise.

Certain conditions may make resistance training inadvisable, the advisory notes. These include unstable angina, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled dysrhythmias and a recent history of congestive heart failure that has not been thoroughly evaluated and treated. People with chronic health conditions should check with a physician before starting any new exercise program, says Franklin, who also recommends learning weight training basics from a qualified exercise professional.