The long-term effect of physical activity on incidence of coronary heart disease: A 12-year follow-up study

Background This study analyzed the long-term effect of leisure-time physical activity on incident cases of coronary heart disease (CHD) among women and men. Methods A national, random sample of 2,551 women and 2,645 men, aged 35–74, was interviewed in 1988 and 1989 and followed until December 31, 2000, with respect to CHD incident cases. Women and men hospitalized for CHD 2 years before the start of the study and those who rated their general health as poor were not included in the sample. Leisure-time physical activity was divided into four levels according to the frequency of physical activity. The relationship between leisure-time physical activity and CHD was studied in a Cox regression model, adjusted for sex, age, income, smoking, and BMI. Results When leisure-time physical activity increased, the risk of CHD decreased. Women and men who were physically active at least twice a week had a 41% lower risk of developing CHD than those who performed no physical activity (hazard ratio = 0.59, CI = 0.37–0.95), after adjustment for all the explanatory variables. Conclusions The positive long-term effect of leisure-time physical activity on CHD risk among women and men remains even after accounting for income and other important CHD risk factors.