Exercise is generally considered beneficial for health, but for individuals with certain conditions, an elevated heart rate during exercise can be dangerous, according to research from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur.
The study focused on the impact of an elevated heart rate on individuals with highly blocked carotid arteries, which supply blood flow to the face and brain.
When these arteries become narrowed due to plaque buildup (stenosis), it restricts blood flow to the brain, potentially leading to a stroke.
In healthy individuals and those with only mild artery blockages, an elevated heart rate during exercise can help maintain healthy blood flow by stabilizing the drag force of blood on the artery walls.
However, for individuals already experiencing moderate to severe artery blockages, intense exercise can have adverse effects.
The study used a computational model to simulate blood flow in carotid arteries with varying degrees of stenosis and compared the impact of exercise-induced heart rates to resting heart rates.
The results showed that intense exercise substantially increased shear stress at the stenosis site in arteries with moderate blockages.
This elevated shear stress could potentially rupture the plaque, leading to a stroke if the plaque flows to the brain’s blood supply.
Additionally, an elevated heart rate during exercise could increase the risk of developing new stenosis in the arteries.
While many factors contribute to stenosis and stroke risk, including age, lifestyle, and genetics, the researchers recommend regular arterial health checks for individuals engaging in intense workouts.
They also emphasize the importance of carefully prescribed exercise regimens for people with moderate to severe artery blockages or a history of strokes.
Understanding the potential risks associated with elevated heart rates during exercise can help individuals make informed decisions about their physical activity and prioritize their cardiovascular health.
If you care about heart health, please see recent studies about how to remove plaques that cause heart attacks, and results showing a new way to prevent heart attacks, and strokes.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about new ways to prevent heart attacks and strokes, and results showing this drug for heart disease may reduce COVID-19 risk.
The research findings can be found in Physics in Fluids.
Follow us on Twitter for more articles about this topic.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
