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Abstract
Background: Whether high cardiovascular fitness is associated with reduced risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is unknown. The present study aims to determine whether high cardiovascular fitness reduces the risk of VTE.
Methods: A Swedish cohort of male conscripts (n = 773,925) born in 1954–1970 with no history of previous VTE were followed from enlistment (1972–1990) until 2010. Data on cardiovascular fitness using a cycle ergonometric test (maximal aerobic workload in Watt [Wmax]) at conscription were linked with national hospital register data and the Multi-Generation Register. We identified all full-siblings and first-cousin pairs discordant for maximal aerobic workload. This co-relative design allows for adjustment for familial resemblance.
Results: In total, 3005 (0.39%) males were affected by VTE. Cardiovascular fitness estimated with Wmax was not associated with VTE risk when adjusted for body mass index (BMI). However, cardiovascular fitness estimated with Wmax/kg and adjusted for BMI was associated with reduced risk for VTE (Hazard ratio (HR) 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78–0.85 per standard deviation compared with mean Wmax/kg). The association was weaker over time and also when examining discordant first cousins and full-sibling pairs.
Conclusions: These results suggest that there is a relationship between cardiovascular fitness and weight that is important for future VTE risk.
Whether high cardiovascular fitness is associated with reduced risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is unknown.
A Swedish cohort of male conscripts (n = 773,925) tested with a cycle ergometric test with no history of previous VTE were followed from enlistment (1972–1990) until 2010.
Cardiovascular fitness estimated with Wmax/kg and adjusted for BMI was associated with reduced risk for VTE (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.78–0.85).
These results suggest that there is a relationship between cardiovascular fitness and weight that is important for future VTE risk.
Key messages
Acknowledgements
The registers used in the present study are maintained by Statistics Sweden and the National Board of Health and Welfare.
Disclosure statement
The authors report no conflicts of interest.
Funding
This work was supported by grants awarded to Dr Bengt Zöller by the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation ALF funding from Region Skåne awarded to Dr Bengt Zöller and Dr Kristina Sundquist, grants awarded to Dr Bengt Zöller, Kristina Sundquist and Dr Jan Sundquist by the Swedish Research Council. The funders had no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.
Research reported in this publication was also supported by the National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01HL116381 to Kristina Sundquist. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
