Physical activity – an important factor in cardiovascular disease prevention

Abstract:

Physical inactivity is an increasingly important cause of cardiovascular diseases. It has a direct impact on other cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, overweight, and diabetes mellitus. According to the World Health Organisation data from 2002, the estimated prevalence of insufficient physical activity (<2 hours a week of moderate physical activity) is 31-51%. The data for Croatia also provide the reason for concern. In 2004, the Croatian Ministry of Health in cooperation with the Canadian Society for International Health conducted a health survey, which included 9070 individuals. The survey revealed that 35.8% of Croatian population was physically inactive. The percentage of physically inactive men was slightly higher than the percentage of physically inactive women (43.7% vs. 30.0%, respectively). The lowest percentage of physically inactive men was found in South Croatia (14.8%), whereas the lowest percentage of physically inactive women was found in central Croatia (20.8%). In the City of Zagreb, the percentages of physically inactive men and women were as high as 85.6% and 45.2%, respectively. Although measuring physical activity levels is extremely complicated, the survey results raise concern and call for intervention

Key words:
cardiovascular diseases; Croatia; exercise; risk factors