Atherosclerosis is a chronic-degenerative inflammatory process that occurs in blood vessels and is characterized by accumulation of lipids, of inflammatory cells and fibrosis factors on the vessels walls. The (LDL-c) oxidation seems to be the main event to trigger atherosclerosis. Aerobic exercise improves the organic system defense against atherosclerosis by decreasing oxidative stress and increasing anti-oxidant enzyme biosynthesis, improving blood vessels vasodilatation by nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), decreasing the pro-inflammatory cytokine production and increasing anti-inflammatory factors. However, acute high intensity aerobic exercises increase the cardiovascular event risk and its chronic type may affect either positively or negatively in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
Aerobic exercise; atherosclerosis; exercise intensity
