Better cardiovascular fitness linked to reduced heart risks

"Being physically fit could lower the risk of death from heart disease, a study from Japanese researchers has shown. In a recent study published in JAMA, Japanese researchers reviewed 33 studies comparing cardiovascular fitness and risk of heart disease and found definite benefits for those who can last on a treadmill. They looked at data from about 100,000 people from 37 to 57 years of age to determine their maximum aerobic capacity. The authors say that measuring the speed (km/hr) at which a person can run/jog before becoming exhausted could be good indicators of the risk to their hearts. According to the measurement criteria, the researchers found that people with low cardio respiratory fitness ran at approximately 7.9 km/hr compared to those at high fitness levels who could run at about 10.9 km/hr or faster. For people with low fitness levels, their risk of death from all causes during follow-up was 1.7 times higher than those who were very physically fit. Similarly they were at 1.5 times higher risk of heart disease and cardiovascular disease compared with those who had the highest fitness levels."