Review article

Physical Activity in Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Cardiovascular Diseases

Marjeta Mišigoj-Duraković ; Katedra za medicinu sporta i vježbanja, Zavod za kineziološku antropologiju Kineziološkog fakulteta, Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Maroje Sorić ; Katedra za medicinu sporta i vježbanja, Zavod za kineziološku antropologiju Kineziološkog fakulteta, Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Zijad Duraković ; Odjel za medicinsku antropologiju i epidemiologiju, Institut za antropologiju, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading reasons for morbidity and mortality in today’s population. The most important modifying risk factors are bad diet habits, physical inactivity, and cigarette smoking.
Physical activity is an important risk factor in primary and secondary prevention of some chronic metabolic diseases such as obesity, hyperlipidaemias, atherosclerosis, diabetes type 2, and related cardiovascular diseases such as arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, and stroke, and in their treatment and rehabilitation. Many studies conducted in the last half of the century show that physical activity and exercise significantly lower traditional risk factors for the development and progression of coronary heart disease,
although the mechanisms for this are not fully clear. Recent data show that regular physical activity reduces inflammatory factors and improves endothelial function. Recommendations for physical activity in healthy adults are as follows: everyday aerobic activity of moderate intensity for 30 minutes, or three times a week for at least 20 minutes. Physical activity could be done over a shorter interval lasting 10 minutes, but several times during the day. In addition, it is necessary to practice muscle strengthening exercise of moderate intensity, two times a week. In secondary prevention and rehabilitation, physical activity has to be in line with the patient’s health conditions and level of individual risk, and must be adapted to individual functional ability. It is important to monitor and gradually introduce aerobic physical activity of moderate intensity, always observing individual’s functional capacity. Physical activity must always be regular, safe, and moderate.

Keywords

cardiorespiratory ability; metabolic diseases; risk factors

Hrčak ID:

92073

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/92073

Publication date:

16.11.2012.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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