Exercise and the risk of coronary artery disease

Lack of exercise is a risk factor for developing coronary artery disease (CAD).¹ Lack of physical activity can indirectly increase the risk of CAD because it also increases the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. Regular physical activity can help reduce your risk of CAD by helping you control cholesterol and blood pressure, regulate blood sugar (important for people with diabetes), and lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Regular exercise is essential not only for preventing CAD but also for improving your overall cardiovascular health. Although exercise doesn't need to be intense, it is most effective in improving your cardiovascular health if you reach your target heart rate, which should be 50% to 75% of your maximum heart rate based on your age and gender. Ask your doctor what your target heart rate for exercise should be.

It also is possible that regular physical activity increases the number of smaller blood vessels that connect different coronary arteries. If one of the major coronary arteries is suddenly blocked, these collateral blood vessels serve as an alternate route to supply blood to the portion of the heart muscle threatened by a heart attack.

• Exercise doesn't have to be difficult. Any activity that raises your heart rate can be considered exercise, such as walking, cycling, swimming, gardening, or dancing.
• Experts advise doing moderate activity for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week or more, or doing vigorous activity for at least 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week or more.² Being active in several chunks of 10 minutes or more throughout the day can count towards these recommendations. You can choose to do one or both types of activity. However, if you have never exercised, even 5 minutes of walking per day is a good start. Add more as you are able.
• Talk to your doctor before beginning an exercise program if you have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease; have been sedentary for a long period of time; or have other heart, lung, or metabolic diseases, such as diabetes.
• Report any symptoms, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, to your doctor immediately.

Studies on exercise for CAD differ in the specific amount and intensity of exercise. But all studies reinforce that almost any amount of physical activity is beneficial and that the more and harder you exercise, the greater the benefit.

Citations

1. Grundy S, et al. (1999). Assessment of cardiovascular risk by use of multiple-risk-factor assessment equations: A statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. Circulation, 100(13): 1481–1492.

2. Haskell WL, et al. (2007). Physical activity and public health: Updated recommendation for adults from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Circulation, 116(9): 1081–1093.