[Physical activity and coronary heart disease]

Epidemiological data suggest that in middle aged men a regular physical activity, occupational or in leisure time, may protect against a first coronary event. Randomized clinical trial of cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction, including physical training, has shown a positive trend for reduced rates of all-cause death and coronary death in the intervention group. Although not statistically significant, physical training in coronary patients is recommended because the benefits of training include an improved exercise tolerance and risk factor profile. Furthermore, supervised cardiac exercise programmes appear to be safe for the average patient, with the possible exception of some patients with large anterior wall infarctions who might deteriorate and have, therefore, to be closely controlled during rehabilitation.