Can intense exercise contribute to cardiovascular disease?
Farhan Majeed1, Michael Miller
1University of Maryland Medical Center, Division of Cardiology, 22 South Greene Street, Room G3K18, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. fmaje001@umaryland.edu
Abstract:
Aerobic exercise is associated with a number of beneficial effects, including reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, decreased blood pressure, improved insulin sensitivity, weight loss and favorable alterations in lipids. However, intense exercise may have significant deleterious cardiovascular effects. Excessive physical activity may cause increased oxidative stress with resultant endothelial dysfunction and progressive atherosclerosis. Furthermore, intense exercise may promote exercise-induced hypertension that is also associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased cardiovascular mortality. The purpose of this article is to summarize our current understanding of whether intense exercise can contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease.
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction


