Exercise as it relates to Disease/The Effect of Aerobic Exercise Intensity on Cardiovascular Risk in Coronary Heart Disease Patients

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This is a review of the article 'Cardiovascular Risk of High- Versus Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise in Coronary Heart Disease Patients' by Øivind Rognmo, et al published by Circulation in 2012.[1]

Background[edit | edit source]

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) involves the build-up of plaque inside the arteries that supply blood to the heart[2]. This process is known as Atherosclerosis and results in a gradual narrowing of the arteries over many years, causing a decrease in the flow of blood to the heart. Blood clots may form in the artery, which can lead to Angina or an Acute Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)[2].

Process of Atherosclerosis Process of Atherosclerosis


The latest data shows that Coronary Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in Australia (19777 people in 2015)[3]. Despite continuing as the leading cause of death for the last ten years, the death rate is decreasing (23132 people in 2006)[3].

When considering the risk factors for developing CHD, they can be broken in to two categories:

Modifiable Non-Modifiable
  • Smoking
  • Age- More likely as you age
  • High Cholesterol
  • Gender- Males > Females
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Family History
  • Diabetes
  • Ethnicity
  • Inactivity
  • Being Overweight or Obese
  • Unhealthy Diet
  • Depression or Isolation

[4]

There have been several studies performed over the years that demonstrate that there is a strong inverse relationship between physical activity levels and cardiovascular mortality[5][6]. A 1989 study by Slattery et al established that male US Railroad workers who were sedentary had a 39% greater risk of CHD compared to those who had higher levels of physical activity[7]. This study and countless others since, demonstrate the importance of physical activity in its relation to CHD as it is able to “produce a host of positive morphological and physiological cardiovascular adaptations”[8]. Whilst most studies focus on the avoidance of CHD incidence; there has been evidence to show that formal aerobic training programs also benefit those with established CHD (Secondary Prevention)[5]. Traditionally studies compare sedentary lifestyle with those that participate in moderate intensity exercise. This review aims to examine the possible benefits that high intensity exercise may also have for CHD rehabilitation.

Where is the research from?[edit | edit source]

This article was carried out by Øivind Rognmo along with Trine Moholdt, Hilde Bakken, Torstein Hole, Per Mølstad, Nils Erling Myhr, Jostein Grimsmo and Ulrik Wisløff in Norway. The research was conducted in collaboration with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and American Heart Association. These are two very reputable institutions/organisations as well as the author’s PhD qualifications; demonstrates the reliability and validity of this article and a lack of any bias. No conflicts of interests were present and support was provided by grants from the K.G Jebson Foundation, The Research Council of Norway, and The Norwegian Council of Cardiovascular Disease.

What kind of research was this?[edit | edit source]

The study was performed as a Randomised Control Trial (RCT) analysis. This involved groups operating under different circumstances to then later compare the results. This sort of study and the number of participants is consistent with similar research investigations. Medical professionals referred participants and the total number of sessions provided was registered beforehand. Safety protocols were undertaken as all participants underwent a medical examination including a full-lead ECG before starting rehabilitation.

What did the research involve?[edit | edit source]

The study involved 4846 patients (70% Male, 30% Female) at three exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation centres between 2004 and 2011. The participants undertook interval-training sessions at High intensity (85-95% HRPeak) or Moderate Intensity (60-70% HRPeak) lasting approximately 60 minutes. The sessions usually involved treadmill exercise but also included biking sessions and cross-country skiing.

The intensity of the sessions were sometimes controlled by wearable Heart Rate monitors but mainly utilised Borg’s Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale. Moderate intensity was classified as 12-14 on the Borg Scale and High Intensity was given as 15-17. The use of RPE is an easily understandable measure for the client and supervisor. However, it is only a subjective measure and in a CHD population absolute measures such as heart rate may be more preferable so as to have tighter control over safe exercising conditions.

Results and Conclusions[edit | edit source]

There was a low risk of adverse events occurring for both moderate and high intensity exercise.

Moderate-Intensity High-Intensity
Number of Events 1 Fatal 2 Non-Fatal
Risk of Events (Exercise Hours) 1 per 129456 1 per 23182

The absolute event rates were extremely low however the authors identified that in order to detect a sufficient difference between the groups, a similar randomised study would require over 10,000 people in each group. The author’s acknowledge the increased risk of cardiac episodes occurring when participating in vigorous exercise[1] however, believe that the benefits outweigh the risks, evidenced by the dose-response relationship between exercise and cardiac function[9].

Evidence from this study suggests that the beneficial adaptations of exercise are intensity dependent, signifying that high-intensity exercise should therefore be employed. A Dutch study performed the following year aligns with this concept as it suggests that High-Intensity training is recommended because it is more effective than moderate exercise[10]. This research is a step in the right direction and as long as intensity levels can be monitored carefully and safety protocols maintained, then high-intensity exercise is more beneficial for Coronary Heart Disease Patients when compared with moderate exercise.

Practical Advice[edit | edit source]

It is highly important to consider that the low fatality rate seen during this research is a result of careful supervision and management by specialists. It is claimed that there would be 6 times as many deaths if this were not the case[1]. Therefore, when reading this article, be aware that without qualified medical supervision these results may not be replicated and follow the suggestion by the author’s themselves for the need for further collection of data to assess the safety of using high-intensity exercise.

Further Information[edit | edit source]

Further information from trusted sources regarding CHD and exercise can be found below:

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ a b c Rognmo Ø, Moholdt T, Bakken H, Hole T, Mølstad P, Myhr NE, et al. Cardiovascular risk of high-versus moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in coronary heart disease patients. Circulation. 2012;126(12): 1436-1440
  2. ↑ a b NHLBI. What is Coronary Heart Disease? (2016) [Accessed 16th September 2017] Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/cad
  3. ↑ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australia’s Leading Causes of Death, 2015 (2016) [Accessed 16th September 2017] Available at: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/3303.0~2015~Main%20Features~Australia's%20leading%20causes%20of%20death,%202015~3
  4. ↑ Heart Foundation. Heart Attack Risk Factors (2016) [Accessed 16th September 2017] Available at: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/know-your-risks/heart-attack-risk-factors
  5. ↑ a b Swift DL, Lavie CJ, Johannsen NM, Arena R, Earnest CP, O’Keefe JH, et al. Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and exercise training in primary and secondary coronary prevention. Circulation Journal. 2013;77(2): 281-92.
  6. ↑ Anderson L, Oldridge N, Thompson DR, Zwisler AD, Rees K, Martin N, Taylor RS. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for coronary heart disease: Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2016 Jan 12;67(1):1-2.
  7. ↑ Slattery ML, Jacobs DR Jr, Nichaman MZ. Leisure time physical 43. activity and coronary heart disease death: The US Railroad Study. Circulation 1989; 79: 304 – 311.
  8. ↑ Lavie CJ, Arena R, Swift DL, Johannsen NM, Sui X, Lee DC, Earnest CP, Church TS, O’Keefe JH, Milani RV, Blair SN. Exercise and the cardiovascular system. Circulation research. 2015 Jul 3;117(2): 207-19.
  9. ↑ Sattelmair J, Pertman J, Ding EL, Kohl HW, Haskell W, Lee IM. Dose response between physical activity and risk of coronary heart disease. Circulation. 2011;124(7): 789-795
  10. ↑ Achttien RJ, Staal JB, Van der Voort S, Kemps HM, Koers H, Jongert MW, Hendriks EJ, Practice Recommendations Development Group. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in patients with coronary heart disease: a practice guideline. Netherlands Heart Journal. 2013 Oct 1;21(10): 429-38.
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