Exercise for Prevention and Relief of Cardiovascular Disease: Prognoses, Mechanisms, and Approaches

Abstract

This review is aimed at summarizing the new findings about the multiple benefits of exercise on cardiovascular disease (CVD). We pay attention to the prevalence and risk factors of CVD and mechanisms and recommendations of physical activity. Physical activity can improve insulin sensitivity, alleviate plasma dyslipidemia, normalize elevated blood pressure, decrease blood viscosity, promote endothelial nitric oxide production, and improve leptin sensitivity to protect the heart and vessels. Besides, the protective role of exercise on the body involves not only animal models in the laboratory but also clinical studies which is demonstrated by WHO recommendations. The general exercise intensity for humans recommended by the American Heart Association to prevent CVD is moderate exercise of 30 minutes, 5 times a week. However, even the easiest activity is better than nothing. What is more, owing to the different physical fitness of individuals, a standard exercise training cannot provide the exact treatment for everyone. So personalization of exercise will be an irresistible trend and bring more beneficial effects with less inefficient physical activities. This paper reviews the benefits of exercise contributing to the body especially in CVD through the recent mechanism studies.

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

“…In contrast to antioxidant supplements, chronic exercise training has been characterized as a non-pharmacological tool to prevent or treat many CVDs since it elicits cardio-protective effects via multiple mechanisms. Specifically, there has been reported that regular exercise is capable of improving insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism, regulating autonomic function [55], reducing blood pressure and blood viscosity, enhancing endothelial nitric oxide production as well as improving leptin sensitivity [56]. Moreover, exercise increases the mitochondrial biogenesis, fatty acid oxidation and the dilation of blood vessels, that results in improved myocardial perfusion and lower inflammation, reducing as such the risk for atherosclerosis [57].…”

“…Numerous epidemiological studies have convincingly demonstrated the beneficial effect of physical exercise on CVD outcomes, and thus, it has been considered as a valuable therapeutic approach for CVDs [56,[66][67][68][69]. The favorable effect of regular exercise on CVDs progress is primarily attributed on the exercise-mediated enhancement of the antioxidant capacity and reduction of oxidative stress levels that subsequently results in redox balance preservation and cellular homeostasis [63,64].…”

Untitled

“…Most studies indicate that regular exercise training leads to beneficial effects on cardiovascular indices such as blood lipids, insulin resistance and leptin concentration [12,13]; however, the duration and intensity of exercises should be enough. Sheikholeslami-Vatani, et al reported that concurrent training is the best method to enhance health level, improve physical fitness and decrease cardiovascular risk factors [14].…”

Physical Activity in Primary and Secondary Physioprophylaxis

“…Physioprophylaxis allows, to a large extent, to avoid or inhibit the development of functional problems or diseases. It also helps to prevent civilization diseases, the aging process and disability by doing professional and daily tasks ergonomically as well as behaviors that strengthen health protective factors aimed at preventing health threats [1][2][3][4][5]. It is a new and effective alternative in the health care system.…”