Exercise Helps Lower The Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease, Study Says

Many individuals around the globe aren't getting enough exercise. New findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology from the ACC Sports and Exercise Cardiology Leadership Council show how small amounts of physical activity--even including standing--can help in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.

While previous studies have shown that regular physical activity can help in reducing an individual's risk of death from cardiovascular disease, only about half of U.S. adults meet the federally recommended guidelines of 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise, researchers say.

"The evidence with regard to exercise continues to unfold and educate the cardiovascular clinical community," said JACC Editor-in-Chief Valentin Fuster, M.D., Ph.D., in a news release. "The greatest benefit is to simply exercise, regardless of the intensity, while the danger is two-fold: to not exercise at all or to exercise intensely, without due preparation."

In this report, the American College of Cardiology Sports and Exercise Cardiology Council looked at new research on volume and intensity regarding aerobic exercise required for favorable cardiovascular health. With the rise in participation in endurance races over the past three decades, researchers also addressed the question of whether or not a certain amount of exercise may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Research showed that both moderate and vigorous intensity exercise in amounts lower than 2008 Physical Activity Guideline recommendations still significantly lower morality risk in different populations. Furthermore, incrasing the amount of moderate intesity exercise than an individual's involved in helps with reductions in cardiovascular mortality, but these reductions do level out at a certain point, researchers say. 

Lastly, while a few limited, controversial studies have suggested that high volumes of aerobic exercise may be as bad for cardiovascular outcomes as no exercise at all, most health officials agree that even for those who are very active-including life-long endurance athletes-the benefits of exercise training usually outweigh risks.

"The available evidence should prompt clinicians to recommend strongly low and moderate exercise training for the majority of our patients," Emery said. "Equally important are initiatives to promote population health at large through physical activity across the life span, as it modulates behavior from childhood into adult life."

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