TABLE 1.

Potential Benefits of Exercise Training

Related to coronary heart disease risk factors

Increases serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels

Reduces serum triglyceride and possibly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels

Reduces indices of obesity

Reduces arterial blood pressure

Improves insulin sensitivity and glucose levels

Improves endothelial function

Helps with smoking cessation efforts

Reduces psychological stress

Hematologic

Decreases hematocrit and blood viscosity

Expands blood plasma volume

Increases red blood cell deformability and tissue-level perfusion

Increases circulatory fibrinolytic activity

Other

Increases coronary flow reserve

Increases coronary collateral circulation

Increases tolerance of ischemia

Increases myocardial capillary density

Increases ventricular fibrillation thresholds

Reduces atherosclerosis

Possibly increases epicardial coronary artery size

Reduces major morbidity and mortality

From Mayo Clin Proc.⁴