Physical activity and mortality in patients with stable coronary heart disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review recent literature on associations between habitual physical activity and mortality in general populations and patients with stable coronary heart disease.

RECENT FINDINGS: There are substantial decreases in cardiovascular and all-cause mortality between people who take little or no exercise and those who take regular light or moderate physical activity. The benefits associated with increasing high-intensity exercise are smaller, and an increase in mortality risk is possible. Meta-analyses of trials of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation suggest a small mortality benefit from supervised exercise training, but because of a high risk of bias, the impact on cardiovascular mortality and hospitalizations is uncertain.

SUMMARY: Modest habitual physical activity is likely to lower mortality in most patients with stable coronary heart disease.