[Association between cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular risk factors in healthy individuals].
BACKGROUND
Cardio respiratory fitness (FIT) is associated with a better profile in most modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (RF). In Chile, sedentary lifestyle is highly prevalent, reaching almost 90%.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the association between FIT and traditional and emergent RF in a primary prevention population.


METHODS
We prospectively studied 1973 subjects (36% women, mean age 56+/- 13 years) without history of cardiovascular disease and absence of ischemic changes on exercise testing. We assessed cardiovascular RF and determined body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood lipids, glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen. FIT was measured by a Sci f-reported physical activity questionnaire and by a maximal treadmill exercise test, expressed in metabolic equivalents (METs).


RESULTS
Subjects in the highest FIT according to the treadmill test had significantly lower BMI, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, CRP and fibrinogen, and higher HDL cholesterol (adjusted by age and gender). LDL cholesterol did not show significant changes. The same pattern of RF (including LDL cholesterol) and CRP was observed when using Sci f-reported physical activity as a FIT parameter There was a significant association between both methods to measure FIT (p <0.0001, Chi-square Mantel-Haenszel).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show that a better level off IT, assessed by exercise testing or through Sci f report is associated with improved levels of traditional and emergent RF.
Krämer
Verónica
V
Unidad de Cardiología Preventiva y Rehabilitación Cardiovascular, Departamento de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. vero.kramer@gmail.com
Acevedo
Mónica
M
Orellana
Lorena
L
Chamorro
Gastón
G
Corbalán
Ramón
R
Bustamante
M José
MJ
Marqués
Francisca
F
Fernández
Marcelo
M
Navarrete
Carlos
C
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D012307:Risk Factors
D008055:Lipids