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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Evaluation of Coronary Flow Reserve After Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion in Rats
Published on: June 28, 2019
Self-reported physical activity and myocardial flow reserve in postmenopausal women at risk for cardiovascular
Claire S Duvernoy1, Julie W Martin, Kerri Briesmiester
1Division of Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. duvernoy@umich.edu
Background:
Regular exercise protects against coronary heart disease (CHD) events and improves vascular reactivity. Exercise effects on myocardial flow reserve (MFR) are not well studied.
Methods:
We performed dynamic N-13 ammonia positron emission tomography (PET) in 16 postmenopausal women (60 +/- 6 years) to measure myocardial blood flow (MBF) and MFR. We also obtained information from each woman on her self-reported physical activity.
Results:
Of the 16 patients, 6 reported moderate regular physical activity, and 10 did not. Women who reported regular, at least moderate physical activity had a higher percentage increase in adenosine MBF from rest compared with women who did not exercise (268% vs. 129%, p = 0.04) and had a significantly higher mean maximal MFR (3.68 vs. 2.29, p = 0.04).
Conclusions:
These findings provide further mechanistic support for the beneficial cardiovascular effects of exercise.
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