Physical activity and cardiovascular disease

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular disease accounts for most deaths in the Caribbean. Man of these diseases are preventeable by actions of major risk factors including unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and smoking. The major cardiovascular diseases include (1) Coronary (or ischemic) heart disease (heart attack); (2) Cerebrovascualar disease (stroke); (3) Hypertension (high blood pressure); (4) Heart failure; ( Rheumatic heart disease. High blood presure, which affects both children and adults, is a major contributor to heart disease. The favorable effects of physical activity on cardiovascular diseases reflects positively on atherosclerosis, plasma lipid/lipo-protein profile, blood pressure, availability of oyxgenated blood for the heart muscle needs (ischemia), blood clotting (thrombosis) and heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias). Other effects of physical activity that may be associated with modification of cardiovascular disease risk include reduced incidence of obesity, healthier distribution of body fat and reduced incidents of Type 2 diabetes.