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Physical Activity and Cardiovascular
Health
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer in America. About
700,000 Americans died last year of CVD, accounting for over 29% of all
deaths.
- Lack of physical activity is clearly shown to be a risk factor for
coronary heart disease.
- The relative risk of coronary heart disease associated with physical
inactivity ranges from 1.5 to 2.4, an increase in risk comparable with
that observed for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cigarette
smoking.
- Less active, less fit persons have a 30–50% greater risk of
developing high blood pressure.
- Participation in regular physical activity gradually increased
during the 1960s, '70s, and early '80s, but seems to have leveled off in
recent years.
- Surveys show that 28% of Americans age 18 or older aren't active at
all. 44% of adults get some exercise, but they don't do it regularly or
intensely enough to protect their hearts. Only 27% of American adults
get enough leisure-time exercise to achieve cardiovascular fitness.
- People with lower incomes and less than a 12th grade education are
more likely to be physically inactive.
- Of people age 55 and older, 38% report essentially sedentary
lifestyles.
- Even low-to-moderate intensity activities, when done for as little
as 30 minutes a day, can bring benefits. These activities include
pleasure walking, climbing stairs, gardening, yard work,
moderate-to-heavy housework, dancing, and home exercise.
- More vigorous aerobic activities, such as brisk walking, running,
swimming, bicycling, roller skating, and jumping rope—done most
days of the week for at least 30 minutes—are best for improving
the fitness of the heart and lungs.
Information Please® Database, © 2009 Pearson
Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
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