The effects of physical training on cardiovascular parameters, lipid disorders and endothelial function.

BACKGROUND/AIM [corrected] Regular physical activity is widely accepted as factor that reduces all-cause mortality and improves a number of health outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise training on cardiovascular parameters, lipid profile and endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS The study included seventy patients with stable CAD. All the patients were divided into two groups: the group I--33 patients with CAD and with regular aerobic physical training during cardiovascular rehabilitation program phase II for 3 weeks in our rehabilitation center and 3 weeks after that in their home setting, and the group II (control)--37 patients with CAD and sedentary lifestyle. Exercise training consisted of continual aerobic exercise for 45 minutes on a treadmill, room bicycle or walking, three times a week. We determined lipid and cardiovascular parameters and nitric oxide (NO) concentration at the beginning and after a six-week of training. RESULTS There were no significant differences in body weight, waist circumference and waist/hip ratio at the start and at the end of physical training program. Physical training significantly reduced body mass index after six weeks compared to the initial and control values. Physical training significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate after a six-week training period (p < 0.05). Heart rate was significantly lower after a training period as compared to the control (p < 0.05). A significant reduction of triglyceride and increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration after cardiovascular rehabilitation were registered (p < 0.05). The concentration of triglycerides was significantly lower while NO and HDL-C were higher after six weeks in the exercise training group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Dynamic training can improve blood pressure in patients with moderate to severe hypertension and reduce the need for medication. Exercise programs induced favorable adaptations on lipoproteins profile, cardiovascular parameters and endothelial function which are clinically desirable in primary and secondary prevention of CAD.