Metabolic syndrome prevented by a fit heart

According to a new study, a person's cardiorespiratory fitness is a strong predictor of their risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of heart disease and diabetes, and risk factors include excess body weight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar.

Dr. Michael J. LaMonte, from the Cooper Institute in Dallas, says their data suggests that higher fitness levels provide protection against metabolic syndrome even in individuals with increased susceptibility because of existing metabolic risk factors.

LaMonte bases his findings 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 males and females, the risk of metabolic syndrome dropped with an increasing level of cardiorespiratory fitness, which was 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.

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

The researchers concluded that by increasing physical activity, metabolic syndrome may be prevented, especially in adults who have already begun to show signs of the disorder.

There are studies which show 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.

The report is published Circulation, the Journal of the American Heart Association.