Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
04:24

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Published on: April 19, 2019

Cardiorespiratory fitness, LDL cholesterol, and CHD mortality in men

Stephen W Farrell1, Carrie E Finley, Scott M Grundy

  • 1The Cooper Institute, Dallas, TX 75230, USA. sfarrell@cooperinst.org

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|July 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is linked to lower coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality in men. Maintaining moderate to high CRF significantly reduces mortality risk, regardless of LDL cholesterol levels.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Exercise Physiology

Background:

  • Limited data exist on the combined impact of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and LDL cholesterol on coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality.
  • Understanding this relationship is crucial for cardiovascular risk assessment in men.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the joint association of CRF and LDL cholesterol concentration with subsequent CHD mortality in a large cohort of men.
  • To determine if CRF can modify the risk associated with elevated LDL cholesterol.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 40,718 healthy men was followed for CHD mortality.
  • Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was assessed via maximal treadmill exercise test.
  • Participants were categorized by CRF and LDL cholesterol levels; Cox regression analysis was used to compute hazard ratios (HRs).

Main Results:

  • Decreasing CRF categories showed a significant positive trend in CHD mortality (P < 0.0001).
  • Increasing LDL cholesterol categories also demonstrated a significant positive trend in CHD mortality (P < 0.0001).
  • Within each LDL category, higher CRF was associated with significantly lower adjusted CHD mortality (P < 0.02).

Conclusions:

  • Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a strong, inverse predictor of CHD mortality in men.
  • Higher levels of CRF attenuate the mortality risk associated with elevated LDL cholesterol.
  • Routine assessment of CRF is recommended for cardiovascular risk management.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation01:29

Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation

Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile01:25

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile

Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...