Review The role of Exercise in the Primary and Secondary Prevention of Coronary Atherosclerotic Heart Disease

Some risk factors for coronary heart disease may be altered by paying a great cost as in the case of pharmacologic treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Physical inactivity is the most prevalent risk factor, but can be eliminated with sufficient exercise. Exercise has a favorable effect directly or indirectly on hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cigarette smoking and diabetes mellitus. There are also benefical effects of exercise on coagulation factors, obesity and psychologic profiles. In this article, the exercise concept in the primary and secondary prevention of coronary atherosclerosis, the effects of exercise on other coronary risk factors, and significant studies made on exercise in primary and secondary prevention of coronary atherosclerosis are reviewed.