Exercise is good for the inner lining of your blood vessels because it can reduce your risk of heart disease. Researchers are finding evidence associating endothelial dysfunction with cardiovascular disease, according to a report in "Circulation," the journal of the American Heart Association. Another "Circulation" report finds that regular physical exercise improves endothelial function in patients with chronic heart failure.
Physiology
The endothelium is the thin layer of tissue lining the inside of your blood vessels. Your endothelium is normally smooth and flexible, enabling blood to flow efficiently through your arteries and veins. Your endothelium is responsible for coagulation, immune function, platelet adhesion, control of volume and electrolyte content. None of these processes work when you suffer from endothelial dysfunction, but regular exercise can restore some of these functions.
Endothelial Dysfunction
The main feature of endothelial dysfunction is impaired bio availability and bio activity of nitric oxide, or NO. You suffer an NO deficiency with endothelial dysfunction, which causes your endothelium to host unwanted substances, such as LDL "bad" cholesterol, which can injure your arterial walls as buildup of these substances narrows your arteries. Additionally, endothelial dysfunction disrupts the mechanics of vasodilatation and constriction, which can lead to hypertension and atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Exercise restores levels of nitric oxide, halting the progression of cardiovascular disease by restoring the protective chemical balance of your endothelium.
Endothelial Dysfunction, Diabetes and Exercise
Endothelial dysfunction is emerging as a significant complication for a person battling type 1 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association investigated whether physical training can instigate persistent improvement of endothelial dysfunction. In this study, researchers used peak oxygen uptake to measure the beneficial effect that exercise had on the endothelial health of 26 people with type 1 diabetes. Results showed physical exercise improved peak oxygen uptake by 13 percent in those subjects who trained for two months, and by 27 percent after four months of training.
Exercise Patterns
Benefits from exercise start to fade once you stop exercising. You must remain on an effective exercise program to enjoy the benefits of endothelial dysfunction reduction. Consult with the physician treating your endothelial dysfunction to find out if an exercise program is right for you. Therapists will recommend a therapeutic exercise program based on your age, the severity of your endothelial dysfunction, your tolerance for exercise and whether you have coexisting medical problems that can hamper physical activity. Your doctor will prescribe a combination of light aerobic exercise, strength training and stretching workouts to give you a well-rounded exercise routine. Never start or change an exercise program without talking to a doctor who treats the serious medical diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction, such as high blood pressure, significant heart disease and diabetes.
References
- "Circulation"; "Contemporary Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine"; Dr. Amir Lerman and Dr. Andreas M. Zeiher; 2005
- "Circulation"; "Regular Physical Exercise Corrects Endothelial Dysfunction and Improves Exercise Capacity in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure"; Dr. Rainer Hambrecht and Dr. Eduard Fiehn
- American Diabetes Association; "Exercise Training Improves Vascular Endothelial Function in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes"; Dr. Gabriele Fuchsjäger-Mayrl et. al.; October 2002
