Regular physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Overweight is increasing--we have to exercise!
Henriksson, J.
Lakartidningen 95(51-52): 5894-5896
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0023-7205 PMID: 9889514 Document Number: 491426
Epidemiological findings have shown strong inverse correlation to exist between the level of physical activity and the risk of ischaemic heart disease. Although the mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of physical activity is incompletely understood, available data suggest the risk reduction to be mainly due to decreased development of arteriosclerosis, but that reduced thrombogenesis and myocardial oxygen requirement, and enhanced myocardial vascularisation are contributory factors. In all likelihood, these factors, combined with reduced sympatho-adrenal activity during exercise in the trained state, explain the association of regular physical exercise with a decreased risk of fatal cardiac arrhythmia.