An overview of the effects of physical activity and exercise on cardiovascular disease Prevention

Abstract

In 2012, approximately 31% of all deaths worldwide were from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Accumulating data have shown that CVD is related to excess adipose tissue in obesity, resulting from adipokine dysregulation, low-grade inflammation, and metabolic syndrome. It is generally accepted that excess energy intake and the lack of physical activity are independent factors in causing obesity. An increase in physical activity and improvement in cardio-respiratory fitness are essential elements in the prevention and treatment of CVD, with there being a significant dose-response relationship between exercise and CVD. However, the mechanisms underlying the preventive effect of physical activity on CVD remain unclear, accumulating data have shown that exercise can yield beneficial effects by enhancing blood lipid metabolism, arterial elasticity, blood pressure regulation, cardioprotection against ischemia/ reperfusion injury, angiogenesis in tissues, adipokine regulation, myokine production, and the expression of telomerase and repair protein, resulting in a reduced risk of CVD. In conclusion, increasing physical activity and regular exercise has multiple effects in CVD prevention by increasing lipid metabolism, angiogenesis, cardioprotection and myokine production, resulting in a reduced risk of obesity, hypertension and metabolic syndrome.