Final answer:
Acute physical activity can increase the immediate risk of a sudden adverse cardiac event, while habitual physical activity significantly lowers the long-term risk. Regular exercise improves heart function, lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol levels, and helps maintain a healthy weight, all of which contribute to a lower risk of heart disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acute physical activity refers to short bursts of intense exercise, such as sprinting or weightlifting, that increase the heart rate and breathing rate, but only for a brief period of time. Habitual physical activity, on the other hand, refers to regular and consistent exercise that is performed over a prolonged period of time.
When it comes to the risk of a sudden adverse cardiac event, studies have shown that acute physical activity can actually increase the immediate risk. This is because intense exercise puts strain on the heart and can trigger a cardiac event, especially in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. However, habitual physical activity has been shown to have long-term benefits for cardiovascular health and can significantly reduce the risk of a sudden adverse cardiac event. Regular exercise improves heart function, lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol levels, and helps maintain a healthy weight, all of which contribute to a lower risk of heart disease.