Muscular exertion in selected cardiovascular disorders

Abstract

According to the recommendation of European Society of Cardiology (ESC), regular physical activity is a key factor in reducing cardiovascular mortality in both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Mechanisms of beneficial effects of physical activity are multi-directional and differ among each other depending on the type of effort being undertaken and the conditions coexisting in the exercising person. By closely affecting vascular endothelial cells, physical activity affects their inflammatory, proand anti-angiogenic and vasodilatory properties, determining the maintenance of normal cardiovascular homeostasis. Based on the available data, it can be unequivocally stated that none of the known therapeutic interventions reduces the risk of so many diseases at the same time as physical activity does. This paper summarizes the contemporary data concerning the role of physical exercise in modifying the course of different types of CVD at different stages of their pathophysiology.