Physicians Urged to Promote Exercise
to Patients, and to Set Example
Physicians need to walk a mile in their
patient’s shoes!
As well as recommending regular physical exercise
to their patients to prevent and treat cardiovascular
disease, physicians should "personally engage
in an active lifestyle," according to a new
report from the American Heart Association.
Writing in the June 23 rapid access issue of
Circulation, a group of experts led by Dr. Paul
D. Thompson of the Hartford Hospital in Connecticut
note that people who get a lot of regular exercise
appear to have half the risk of atherosclerosis
as sedentary people.
In addition, regular exercise appears to lower
the chances of a host of other chronic conditions,
such as diabetes, depression and certain types
of cancer.
Consequently, Dr. Thompson and his team suggest
that doctors follow recommendations issued by
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
which support at least 30 minutes of moderate
exercise, such as a brisk walk, on most or all
days of the week.
Co-author Dr. Barry Franklin of William Beaumont
Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, stated thatlth
that, despite the obvious benefits of exercise,
he suspected that its value in protecting the
heart and blood vessels has been "woefully
underestimated," even among doctors.
"I think the medical community needs further
education about the value of physical exercise,"
Dr. Franklin said.
Citing some of the evidence in favor of regular
activity, he said that a lack of physical exercise
probably predicts whether a person is at risk
of dying just as well as other "big name"
risk factors, such as high blood pressure and
cholesterol.
In addition, Dr. Franklin described recent research
that found that regular exercise appeared to reduce
the risk of death as much as commonly used drugs,
such as beta-blockers and aspirin.
In the report, the authors also recommend that
doctors themselves get regular exercise, to "set
a positive example" for their patients and
the outside world. Doctors can also counsel schools
and local businesses to encourage physical activity
within their communities, the report notes. Circulation
2003. DOI:10.1161/01.CIR.0000075572.40158.77
