Physical Inactivity as a Lethal Factor in Myocardial Infarction among Men

Abstract

A striking association between physical inactivity and early mortality from the initial myocardial infarction in men less than 65 yr. of age was shown. The data were derived from the 1st clinically manifest infarctions occurring in a population of some 55,000 male adults enrolled in the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York during an observation period of 18 mo. (301 cases). Inquiry about customary physical activities on and off the job has permitted delineation of a group of least active men who are much more likely to experience a clinically severe episode and die within 4 wk. of its onset than men who are relatively more active. More than 1/4 of the men experiencing their 1st myocardial infarction were in this least active group; early mortality for these men was 3 times that in the group of most active men and twice that for the intermediate activity group. Physical activities off the job were shown to play an important role in the relationship.