Related Experiment Videos
Cardiovascular fitness as a predictor of mortality in men
J A Laukkanen1, T A Lakka, R Rauramaa
1Research Institute of Public Health, University of Kuopio, PO Box 1627, Harjulantie 1 B, 70211 Kuopio, Finland.
Insights
Poor cardiorespiratory fitness significantly increases the risk of death from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions. Higher maximal oxygen uptake and longer exercise test duration are strong predictors of longevity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Preventive Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiorespiratory fitness is a key indicator of overall health.
- Low cardiorespiratory fitness is linked to increased mortality risk.
- Understanding the specific associations is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and mortality.
- To assess the predictive value of maximal oxygen uptake and exercise test duration on mortality.
- To examine associations with overall, cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related, and non-CVD-related mortality.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cohort study involving 1294 men.
- Baseline assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness using maximal oxygen uptake and exercise test duration.
- Follow-up for an average of 10.7 years to record mortality events.
Main Results:
- Unfit men (maximal oxygen uptake <27.6 mL/kg/min) had a 2.76-fold increased risk of overall death and a 3.09-fold increased risk of CVD-related death compared to fit men.
- Poor cardiorespiratory fitness was a significant risk factor for non-CVD-related mortality as well.
- Exercise test duration showed a strong inverse relationship with all-cause and cause-specific mortality.
Conclusions:
- Cardiorespiratory fitness is a powerful, graded predictor of mortality.
- Maximal oxygen uptake and exercise test duration are the strongest predictors of mortality.
- Maintaining good cardiorespiratory fitness is vital for reducing premature death.
Objective:
To examine the relations of cardiorespiratory fitness, as measured by maximal oxygen uptake and exercise test duration at the initiation of the study, with overall, cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related, and non-CVD-related mortality.
Methods:
A population-based cohort study of 1294 men with no CVD, pulmonary disease, or cancer at baseline in Kuopio and surrounding communities in eastern Finland. During an average follow-up of 10.7 years, there were 124 overall, 42 CVD-related, and 82 non-CVD-related deaths.
Results:
The relative risk of overall death in unfit men (maximal oxygen uptake <27.6 mL/kg per minute) was 2.76 (95% confidence interval, 1.43-5.33) (P =.002), and the relative risk of CVD-related death was 3.09 (95% confidence interval, 1.10-9.56) (P =.05), compared with fit men (maximal oxygen uptake >37.1 mL/kg per minute) after adjusting for age, examination years, smoking, and alcohol consumption. The relative risk of non-CVD-related death in unfit men was almost the same magnitude as for overall death. Furthermore, adjustment for serum lipid levels, blood pressure, plasma fibrinogen level, diabetes, and fasting serum insulin level did not weaken these associations significantly. Exercise test duration also had a strong inverse relation to overall, CVD-related, and non-CVD-related mortality. Poor cardiorespiratory fitness was comparable with elevated systolic blood pressure, smoking, obesity, and diabetes in importance as a risk factor for mortality.
Conclusions:
Cardiorespiratory fitness had a strong, graded, inverse association with overall, CVD-related, and non-CVD-related mortality. Maximal oxygen uptake and exercise test duration represent the strongest predictors of mortality.