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Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health: Fact Sheet
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer in America. About 960,000 Americans died of CVD in 1999, so CVD accounted for about 40.1 percent of all deaths.
Lack of physical activity is now clearly shown to be a risk factor for heart disease.
Scientists have not found a direct link between regular exercise and stroke. But they do know that exercise reduces the risk of other health problems, such as heart disease, which can contribute to stroke. By helping to prevent heart attack, exercise may reduce the risk of some kinds of stroke.
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 percent 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 29 percent of Americans age 18 or older are not active at all. 44 percent of adults get some exercise, but they don't do it regularly or intensely enough to protect their hearts. Only 27 percent 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 sedentary.
56.1 percent of high school students were enrolled in PE Classes in 1999, but only 29.1 percent attended classes daily.
The NHIS (1997) data show the following have a sedentary lifestyle:
Among non-Hispanic whites, 33.3 percent men and 38.9 percent women
Among non-Hispanic blacks, 46.0 percent men and 57.1 percent women
Among Hispanics, 49.9 percent men and 57.1 percent women
Among non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islanders, 36.2 percent men and 49.2 percent women
Even moderate intensity activities, when done for as little as 30 minutes a day, can bring benefits. These activities include 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 three or four times a week for 30-60 minutes — are best for improving the fitness of the heart and lungs.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer in America. About 960,000 Americans died of CVD in 1999, so CVD accounted for about 40.1 percent of all deaths.
Lack of physical activity is now clearly shown to be a risk factor for heart disease.
Scientists have not found a direct link between regular exercise and stroke. But they do know that exercise reduces the risk of other health problems, such as heart disease, which can contribute to stroke. By helping to prevent heart attack, exercise may reduce the risk of some kinds of stroke.
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 percent 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 29 percent of Americans age 18 or older are not active at all. 44 percent of adults get some exercise, but they don't do it regularly or intensely enough to protect their hearts. Only 27 percent 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 sedentary.
56.1 percent of high school students were enrolled in PE Classes in 1999, but only 29.1 percent attended classes daily.
The NHIS (1997) data show the following have a sedentary lifestyle:
Among non-Hispanic whites, 33.3 percent men and 38.9 percent women
Among non-Hispanic blacks, 46.0 percent men and 57.1 percent women
Among Hispanics, 49.9 percent men and 57.1 percent women
Among non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islanders, 36.2 percent men and 49.2 percent women
Even moderate intensity activities, when done for as little as 30 minutes a day, can bring benefits. These activities include 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 three or four times a week for 30-60 minutes — are best for improving the fitness of the heart and lungs.
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