Cardio respiratory fitness as a predictor of mortality

A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association states that Cardio respiratory fitness (CRF) is the best predictor of mortality and should be routinely measured in clinical practice.  Decades of research has established risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and low levels of CRF are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality rates attributable to various forms of cancer.

The American Heart Association also reports that higher levels of CRF are associated with improved outcomes for some forms of cancer, surgical risk, depression, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.