[Physical activity. An efficient and underused way of preventing cardiovascular disease from childhood to old age].

Rev Esp Cardiol. 2005;58(8):887-90 887 In 1994, the World Health Organization recognized that a sedentary lifestyle was an independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease.1 Persons with a sedentary lifestyle are estimated to have about twice the risk for ischemic heart disease, or of dying from it, as compared with active persons.1 The regular practice of physical exercise has also been shown to be associated with a reduced risk for cerebrovascular disease.2 Ischemic heart disease, together with cerebrovascular disease and other cardiovascular diseases, represent the largest cause of death in industrialized countries. Prevention of these diseases, therefore, is an important element in public health care programs in these countries. To this end, the encouragement of physical activity should form an important part in disease prevention and the promotion of health.