Improved understanding of effects and mechanisms of exercise on cardiovascular protection

Under physiological states, exercise training can significantly improve the body’s metabolic level and provides anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, regulation of blood pressure and anti-depressive effects. Long-term exercise training can additionaly help increase cardiac output, promote physiological myocardium remodeling, and enhance the body’s tolerance to cardiovascular disease. Thus, exercise plays a significant role in the prevention of cardiovascular pathogenesis and has been recommended in a number of guidelines related to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The mechanisms by which exercise mediates or modulates cardiovascular protection are complex, including improvement of myocardial energy metabolism, promotion of coronary circulation, and attenuation of pathological myocardial remodeling. This review presents recent progress and understanding related to effects and to mechanisms from exercise on cardiovascular protection, providing a clearer theoretical basis of the role exercise plays in cardiovascular protection.