Exercise and uric Acid: implication in cardiovascular disease.

The association of elevated serum uric acid (SUA) concentration (hyperuricemia) with gout has been known for many years, but more recently hyperuricemia has been observed to be associated with many of the known major risk factors for coronary heart disease (hypertension, stress, hypercholesterolemia) with much greater frequency than in the general population. Several epidemiological studies have indicated a beneficial relationship between physical activity, risk factor modification, and susceptibility to coronary heart disease. Physical activity has been shown to modify not only the major identified risk factors but SUA levels as well. Whereas acute exercise lasting between one-half and three hours elevates SUA in proportion to intensity of exercise, chronic exercise lowers SUA levels. Mechanisms for these changes are discussed as well as implications in relation to coronary disease.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1984;6(1):34-39.