[Effect of physical activity on coronary heart disease]

Regular exercise of moderate intensity is associated with reduced coronary atherosclerosis in primates on an atherogenic diet. In some animal species as well as in patients with coronary heart disease physical training results in improved myocardial perfusion. Aslo exercise seems to enhance fibrinolysis induced by venous occlusion. Obviously cardiac arrhythmias are not affected by exercise training. Regular physical activity affects some risk factors of coronary heart disease, e.g. by increasing plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration and decreasing triglyceride level. Exercise may favourable influence smoking, drinking and dietary habits and may produce some beneficial psychological changes. Preventive exercise should be of least moderate intensity three or at least two times a week.