Higher Activity Volumes, Cardiorespiratory Fitness Offer Greater CVD Risk Reduction

Clinical guidelines for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease consistently advocate for regular physical activity, with most recommending a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week [1, 2]. While the general benefits are undisputed, a central question for clinicians is whether this universal recommendation is optimal for all patients, regardless of their baseline cardiorespiratory fitness [3, 4]. Cardiovascular diseases, including atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke, remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality [5, 6]. A recent UK Biobank study provides new, quantitative evidence on the interplay between activity volume and fitness, suggesting that achieving substantial cardiovascular risk reduction may require a more personalized and demanding approach than current guidelines advise.