Cardiovascular Effects and Benefits of Exercise

Abstract

It is widely accepted that regular physical activity is beneficial for cardiovascular health. Frequent exercise is robustly associated with a decrease in cardiovascular mortality as well as the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Physically active individuals have lower blood pressure, higher insulin sensitivity, and a more favorable plasma lipoprotein profile. Animal models of exercise show that repeated physical activity suppresses atherogenesis and increases the availability of vasodilatory mediators such as nitric oxide. Exercise has also been found to have beneficial effects on the heart. Acutely, exercise increases cardiac output and blood pressure, but individuals adapted to exercise show lower resting heart rate and cardiac hypertrophy. Both cardiac and vascular changes have been linked to a variety of changes in tissue metabolism and signaling, although our understanding of the contribution of the underlying mechanisms remains incomplete. Even though moderate levels of exercise have been found to be consistently associated with a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, there is evidence to suggest that continuously high levels of exercise (e.g., marathon running) could have detrimental effects on cardiovascular health. Nevertheless, a specific dose response relationship between the extent and duration of exercise and the reduction in cardiovascular disease risk and mortality remains unclear. Further studies are needed to identify the mechanisms that impart cardiovascular benefits of exercise in order to develop more effective exercise regimens, test the interaction of exercise with diet, and develop pharmacological interventions for those unwilling or unable to exercise.

Voluntary exercise promotes neurotrophic factor and suppresses apoptosis in hippocampal ischemia

“…Physically active individuals usually show lower blood pressure, a more favorable plasma lipoprotein profile, and higher insulin sensitivity, which are usually related to a decrease in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease as well as cardiovascular death (Nystoriak and Bhatnagar, 2018). Exercise also benefits the nervous system.…”

Training/detraining-induced gender specific functional adaptations of isolated rat heart

“…Regular physical activity brings numerous benefits which are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. These benefits of regular exercise were also noticed in patients with established cardiovascular disease [1][2][3][4] . Regular exercise induces changes in hemodynamic and loading conditions of the heart, which can lead to a series of positive changes in the heart's structure and function 5 .…”

Exercise-Induced Regulation of Redox Status in Cardiovascular Diseases: The Role of Exercise Training and Detraining

“…It appears though, that the exercise intensity is a crucial regulator of the oxidative stress response to exercise, as regular, low-intensity exercise decreases oxidative stress levels and encompasses increase antioxidant defense [243,244], whereas high-intensity or exhaustive exercise has been shown to increase free radical production and oxidative stress, reduce the antioxidant capacity and subsequently upregulates oxidative damage [245][246][247]. In particular, prolonged high-intensity exercise, such as marathon running, induces oxidative damage to proteins, lipids and DNA and could elicit deleterious effects on cardiovascular health [248,249]. Thus, strenuous or high-intensity exercise and regular, moderate-intensity exercise should be investigated separately and according to the type/mode of exercise performed (CVE vs. RE).…”