title: [Physical inactivity: a modifiable risk factor in primary prevention?].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and for increased cardiovascular mortality. The aim of this review article was to demonstrate whether increased physical activity can safely reduce the increased cardiovascular mortality due to physical inactivity. A further aim was to derive recommendations for physical activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of physical activity on indirect and direct cardiovascular parameters and clinical endpoints was analyzed by means of an inquiry of the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for cardiovascular and overall mortality. Many epidemiologic studies could demonstrate with high consistency that regular physical activity is associated with a lower cardiovascular mortality and overall mortality. There is an inverse relationship between physical activity and mortality. Even moderate physical activity (30 min brisk walking or 15 min jogging) on most days of the week can increase the wellness and reduce the cardiovascular and overall mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regular physical activity can contribute to an enormous health benefit in the general population. Therefore the promotion of adequate physical activity should be a major aim of the policy of health.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Kardiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin, Klinikum Minden. kardiologie@klinikum-minden.de
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lengfelder
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015444:Exercise; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D010809:Physical Fitness; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors
vernacular_title: Körperliche Inaktivität: zu beeinflussender Risikofaktor in der primären Prävention?