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Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: Current RecommendationsVeterans Affairs Medical Center/Cardiology and Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, peter.kokkinos{at}med.va.gov Epidemiologic studies support an inverse and robust relationship between physical activity (PA) and mortality risk, even after adjusting for potential confounding factors. The authors have reported 13% lower mortality risk for every 1-MET (metabolic equivalent) increase in exercise capacity. For those with an exercise capacity >7 METs, the mortality risk was approximately 50% to 70% lower when compared with those achieving <5 METs. The risk reduction is, at least in part, attributed to the favorable effect of PA on the cardiovascular risk factors. Increased PA lowers blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in a dose—response fashion, and reduces the incidence of diabetes. The health benefits of PA can be realized by engaging in moderate-intensity physical activity (brisk walk) for at least 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week or vigorous activity (jogging) for 20 or more minutes, 3 days per week. Combinations of the 2 types of activity can also be performed.
Key Words: cardiovascular risk • exercise
This version was published on August
1, 2008 Angiology, Vol. 59, No. 2 suppl,
26S-29S (2008) |
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