Mixed
Higher levels of physical activity reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, with the magnitude of risk reduction (30-50%) being comparable to not smoking, mediated substantially by improvements in inflammatory/hemostatic biomarkers and blood pressure.
Aim for at least 600 to 1500 kilocalories of moderate-intensity physical activity per week (roughly 2 to 5 hours of brisk walking or similar activity). This level of activity is associated with a 27% to 41% reduction in cardiovascular disease risk compared to being sedentary. The benefit comes largely from improvements in blood pressure and inflammatory markers, not just weight loss. You do not need extreme exercise to see significant health benefits; consistency with moderate activity is key.
Physical activity or fitness clearly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with a magnitude of risk reduction comparable to that of not smoking... The inverse association between physical activity and CVD risk is mediated in substantial part by known risk factors, particularly inflammatory/hemostatic factors and blood pressure.
Why this rating
Large prospective cohort study (n=27,055) with long follow-up (mean 10.9 years) and detailed biomarker analysis, though observational design limits causal inference compared to RCTs.
Source
Physical Activity and Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Events
Samia Mora et al. · Circulation · 2007
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