Physical Activity Over the Lifecourse and Cardiovascular Disease

Despite improvements in cardiovascular care in recent decades, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death worldwide. At its core, CVD is a largely preventable disease with diligent risk factor management and early detection. Physical activity is central to CVD prevention at the individual and population levels. Despite pervasive knowledge of the numerous cardiovascular and noncardiovascular health benefits of physical activity, physical activity has steadily decreased over time, and unfavourable changes in physical activity occur throughout people’s lives. Here, we use a life-course framework to examine the evidence reporting on the association of physical activity with CVD. From in-utero to older adults, this review discusses the evidence detailing how physical activity may prevent incident CVD and mitigate CVD-related morbidity and death across all life stages.