Health care providers should prescribe physical activity for people with type 2 diabetes to improve blood sugar levels and heart health, says the European Association of Preventive Cardiology in a position paper. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main reasons people with diabetes are at higher risk for cardiovascular problems like heart attack, which are the leading cause of death in this population.

Simply advising people with type 2 diabetes to exercise is not enough, according to the paper’s authors. Instead, people with diabetes should see their doctor for a personalized exercise plan, after being assessed for other health problems, potential risks related to physical activity, and their personal exercise preferences.

Researchers are learning more and more about the benefits of any increase in physical activity — no matter how small — compared to inactivity. While weight loss is an important goal for many with type 2 diabetes, this paper emphasizes the link between physical activity and improved fitness levels and blood sugar control.