Fit heart curbs risk of 'metabolic syndrome'

A person's cardiorespiratory fitness is a strong predictor of their risk of developing metabolic syndrome - a cluster of Heart disease and Diabetes risk factors including excess body weight, high blood pressure, High Cholesterol, and high blood sugar.

"Our data suggest higher fitness levels provide protection against metabolic syndrome even in individuals with increased susceptibility because of existing metabolic risk factors," lead author Dr. Michael J. LaMonte, from The Cooper Institute in Dallas, said in a statement.

The findings, reported in the Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, are based on a study of 10,498 subjects who had their cardiovascular fitness level determined at baseline and were then followed for around 5 years to assess the occurrence of metabolic syndrome.

In both sexes, the risk of metabolic syndrome fell with increasing level of cardiorespiratory fitness, as measured by walking on a treadmill.

For men, the risk of metabolic syndrome was 26 percent lower for those who were moderately fit and 53 percent lower for those who were highly fit, compared to those who were less fit.

For women, the risk of metabolic syndrome was 20 percent lower for those who were moderately fit and 63 percent lower for those who were highly fit, compared to those who were less fit.

The protective effect of increased cardiorespiratory fitness was observed in men and women and remained significant even after the researchers adjusted for features of the metabolic syndrome that were present at the start of the study.

Increasing physical activity may help prevent the metabolic syndrome, especially in adults who have already begun to show signs of the disorder, the researchers conclude.

Studies have shown that most individuals can achieve moderate levels of cardiorespiratory fitness through 30 to 40 minutes of brisk walking about 5 days per week. The highest level of fitness is likely to be achieved through vigorous jogging, running, biking, or swimming for 20 to 30 minutes per day about 3 to 5 days per week.

SOURCE: Circulation July 26, 2005.