Review article

Exercise-Related Cardiovascular Risks

Maroje Sorić orcid.org/0000-0001-6835-1438 ; Kineziološki fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Marjeta Mišigoj-Duraković ; Kineziološki fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Zijad Duraković ; Institut za antropologiju, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

Physical inactivity has been implicated in the development of various chronic illnesses. Furthermore, abundant evidence coming from observational studies links physical inactivity to increased cardiovascular and overall mortality. Then again, physical activity alone is accompanied by several health risks including acute cardiovascular events. Risk to benefit ratio of physical activity differs greatly in children and young adults compared to individuals over 35 years of age. The incidence of acute cardiovascular events during
exercise in children and young adults is estimated to be about 1/100,000 to 6/100,000 person-years. The majority of these events are attributable to an underlying congenital heart disease such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, coronary artery anomalies, ionchannelopathies,
valvular disease, and aortic rupture. With increasing age, coronary artery disease becomes one of the leading causes of exercise-related sudden cardiac deaths. In individuals >35 years, this disease is the principal cause of exercise-related sudden deaths. Yet, it is estimated that only about 10 % of acute coronary events occur during physical exertion. In addition, the absolute risk of sudden death during
physical activity is very small, with approximately 1 death occurring in 2,500,000 hours of exercise. The risk increases with increasing age and, to a larger extent, in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors and known cardiovascular disease. Vigorous physical activity is accompanied by substantially increased risk of sudden cardiac death compared to rest and low-activity conditions. Still, the risk is the greatest in previously sedentary individuals unaccustomed to vigorous activity and is attenuated by regular physical activity. In addition, regular physical activity is accompanied by a decreased risk of sudden death and overall mortality. Therefore, it is evident that the benefi ts of physical activity exceed the related risks, at
least in individuals >35 years, and that physical activity should be widely advocated. Finally, when starting an exercise programme, previously sedentary individuals should begin with low to moderate activities and gradually progress to more vigorous physical activity.

Keywords

athletes; cardiomyopathy; coronary artery disease; physical activity; sudden death

Hrčak ID:

92089

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/92089

Publication date:

16.11.2012.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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