In a new study, researchers found that exercise could help reduce artery stiffness linked to heart failure.
The research was conducted by a team from the University of Missouri.
Generally, exercise is considered good for you.
However, physicians and medical doctors previously prescribed bed rest to people with heart failure, fearing exercise could potentially lead to additional health problems.
In the study, the team found exercise can improve the health of blood vessels in the heart for people with heart failure.
The finding is based on a study looking at swine, which have very similar blood vessels and heart muscles—both structurally and functionally—as humans.
The researchers studied three different groups of swine with heart failure: one group was inactive; a second group exercised using intervals with a higher level of intensity for short periods of time intermixed with periods of lower intensity; and the third group exercised with a constant lower level of intensity.
They found that regardless of exercise intensity or duration, any level of exercise resulted in improved health of blood vessels in the heart.
They explained stiff blood vessels can block or impair blood flow to the heart and can lead to a variety of cardiovascular issues. The research findings can be useful for human medicine as well.
The findings provide a better understanding of how blood flows in the heart, the stiffness of blood vessels and the impact that exercise has on heart health.
Understanding the underlying science of the heart allows us to help improve the health of people with heart failure.
The lead author of the study is Craig Emter, associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
The study is published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.
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