Survival of the Fittest: Impact of Cardiorespiratory Fitness on Mortality, Cardiac Risk, and its Relationship with Body Mass Index in Women

摘要

Coronary artery disease remains the leading cause of ndeath in the United States, and remains the largest ncontributor to the nation’s morbidity and health-ncare expenditures.n1n Although deaths from heart disease are ndeclining in both women and men in recent years, more nwomen have died from heart disease than men since 1984.n1n nIn addition, the prevalence of heart disease is increasing, to nthe point where 1 of every 3 female adults has some form nof heart disease.n1n Given these facts, there is increased atten-ntion on prevention of heart disease in women,n2n particularly nthe impact of therapeutic lifestyle changes on reducing the nrisk of cardiovascular disease. One such area given atten-ntion within the Guidelines for Heart Disease Prevention in nWomen is the role of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on nheart disease and mortality in women.