Cardiovascular results of an individually controlled complex prevention

Lifestyle modifications (increased level of physical activity, favourable nutrition, and stress management) are important factors in the prevention of and the therapy for cardiovascular (CV) diseases.

The effects of an individualized, half-year long exercise program on CV risk factors were investigated in 50 patients with moderately high CV risk factors.

75 subjects participated in the study. After the eleventh week of regular training, members of Group A performed 55-65 minutes of exercise at 4-5 times a week, while patients in Group B took part in 45-55 minute training sessions at 2-3 times a week. Activities were monitored using POLAR devices and controlled by a cardiologist and an exercise training expert. Members of the control group (C)were also affected by risk factors, they, however, were not involved in any physical activity.

A marked improvement was seen in performance level (62% in Group A, 38% in Group B). There was a decrease in the LDL cholesterol level (30% and 21%), total cholesterol (16% and 14%), triglyceride (23% in both groups), and an increase in the HDL-cholesterol level (53% and 26%). Body mass (BM) decreased in both groups (8.7% and 5%).In addition, a decrease was also seen in the resting heart rate (HR) (9.6% and 4.5%) and blood pressure (BP: systolic 8.5% and 5.5 %, diastolic 7% and 4.7%).

In persons affected by CV risk factors, lifestyle modification with personal, HR controlled complex (cardio and resistance) aerobic training effectively decreased CV risk factors and strongly improved state of health and quality of life.