[Athletic activities and prevention of vascular risk factors]

Vascular accidents represent one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in France at the present time, and factors increasing the risk of such lesions are well documented: hypertension, smoking, and metabolic disorders (lipids, glucides, uric acid). Though genetic factors are definitely involved, most of them are acquired and related to our way of life, our type of civilisation, and, more particularly, to overeating and a sedentary life. Regular physical exercise of sufficient degree can considerably reduce the various factors which increase risk and, at the same time, diminish the frequency of these very serious vascular accidents.