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Published on: April 19, 2019
Cardiorespiratory fitness and coronary heart disease risk factors: the LDS Hospital Fitness Institute cohort
M J LaMonte1, P A Eisenman, T D Adams
1Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA. mjlamont@sph.sc.edu
Higher cardiorespiratory fitness is linked to fewer coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in middle-aged men and women. This supports public health efforts to boost physical activity for heart health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Exercise Physiology
- Preventive Cardiology
Background:
- Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors.
- Limited data exist for women, individuals with existing CHD, and low-risk populations.
- This study examined CRF and CHD risk factors in a large cohort of middle-aged adults, including those with and without CHD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cross-sectional associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and coronary heart disease risk factors.
- To analyze these associations in a cohort of middle-aged men and women, considering CHD status.
Main Methods:
- Health examinations and maximal treadmill exercise testing were conducted on 3232 men and 1128 women.
- Participants were categorized into age- and sex-specific cardiorespiratory fitness quintiles.
- Statistical adjustments were made for age, body fat, smoking, and family history of CHD.
Main Results:
- Favorable associations were observed between higher cardiorespiratory fitness and most coronary heart disease risk factors.
- These associations were consistent across men and women, irrespective of their coronary heart disease status.
- Adjustments for covariates did not alter the observed beneficial relationships.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced cardiorespiratory fitness may protect against elevated coronary heart disease risk factors, even in a low-risk population.
- Findings support public health recommendations for increased physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness.
- These strategies are crucial for both primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease.
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