Physical activity and coronary heart disease in middle-aged and elderly men: The Honolulu Heart Program

Abstract: The relationship of physical activity to the develop-ment of definite coronary heart disease was examined separately in middle-aged (45-64 years) and elderly men (65-69 years) participat-ing in the Honolulu Heart Program. After 12 years of follow-up, results indicate that increased levels of physical activity reported at study entry were inversely related to the risk of definite coronary heart disease in both age groups. In particular, among those aged 45 to 64 years, the rate of definite coronary heart disease in men who led active life styles was 30 per cent lower than the rate experienced by those who were less active (relative risk, 0.69; 95 % confidenc