Effects of physical activity and exercise training on cardiovascular risk in coronary artery disease patients with and without type 2 diabetes

Beyond the beat: A pioneering investigation into exercise modalities for alleviating diabetic cardiomyopathy and enhancing cardiac health

Patients with preexisting cardiovascular disease or those at high risk for developing the condition are often offered exercise as a form of therapy. Patients with cancer who are at an increased risk for cardiovascular issues are increasingly encouraged to participate in exercise-based, interdisciplinary programs due to the positive correlation between these interventions and clinical outcomes following myocardial infarction. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC) is a cardiac disorder that arises due to disruptions in the homeostasis of individuals with diabetes. One of the primary reasons for mortality in individuals with diabetes is the presence of cardiac structural damage and functional abnormalities, which are the primary pathological features of DC. The aetiology of dilated cardiomyopathy is multifaceted and encompasses a range of processes, including metabolic abnormalities, impaired mitochondrial function, dysregulation of calcium ion homeostasis, excessive cardiomyocyte death, and fibrosis. In recent years, many empirical investigations have demonstrated that exercise training substantially impacts the prevention and management of diabetes. Exercise has been found to positively impact the recovery of diabetes and improve several metabolic problem characteristics associated with DC. One potential benefit of exercise is its ability to increase systolic activity, which can enhance cardiometabolic and facilitate the repair of structural damage to the heart caused by DC, leading to a direct improvement in cardiac health. In contrast, exercise has the potential to indirectly mitigate the pathological progression of DC through its ability to decrease circulating levels of sugar and fat while concurrently enhancing insulin sensitivity. A more comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanism via exercise facilitates the restoration of DC disease must be understood. Our goal in this review was to provide helpful information and clues for developing new therapeutic techniques for motion alleviation DC by examining the molecular mechanisms involved.

Exercise training reduces circulating cytokines in male patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes: A pilot study

Low-grade inflammation is central to coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) and is reduced by exercise training. The objective of this study was to compare the anti-inflammatory potential of moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in patients with CAD with or without T2D. The design and setting of this study is based on a secondary analysis of registered randomized clinical trial NCT02765568. Male patients with CAD were randomly assigned to either MICT or HIIT, with subgroups divided according to T2D status (non-T2D-HIIT n = 14 and non-T2D-MICT n = 13; T2D-HIIT n = 6 and T2D-MICT n = 5). The intervention was a 12-week cardiovascular rehabilitation program consisting of either MICT or HIIT (twice weekly sessions) and circulating cytokines measured pre- and post-training as inflammatory markers. The co-occurrence of CAD and T2D was associated with increased plasma IL-8 (p = 0.0331). There was an interaction between T2D and the effect of the training interventions on plasma FGF21 (p = 0.0368) and IL-6 (p = 0.0385), which were further reduced in the T2D groups. An interaction between T2D, training modalities, and the effect of time (p = 0.0415) was detected for SPARC, with HIIT increasing circulating concentrations in the control group, while lowering them in the T2D group, and the inverse occurring with MICT. The interventions also reduced plasma FGF21 (p = 0.0030), IL-6 (p = 0.0101), IL-8 (p = 0.0087), IL-10 (p < 0.0001), and IL-18 (p = 0.0009) irrespective of training modality or T2D status. HIIT and MICT resulted in similar reductions in circulating cytokines known to be increased in the context of low-grade inflammation in CAD patients, an effect more pronounced in patients with T2D for FGF21 and IL-6.

Maintaining Physical Activity Is Associated with Reduced Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in People Newly Diagnosed with Diabetes

Background

We investigated the association between changes in physical activity and the risk of a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) in people with newly diagnosed diabetes.

Methods

Using a nationwide database, we identified 8,596 people with newly diagnosed diabetes who underwent national health examinations within a year before and after a diabetes diagnosis. Cox proportional hazards models, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for MACE risks were calculated according to changes in physical activity before and after a diagnosis of diabetes.

Results

During a median follow-up of 2.3 years, study participants who engaged in sustained physical activity after a diagnosis of diabetes had a 34% lower MACE risk compared to those with sustained inactivity (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.44-0.98). An advantage was observed in those with a history of cardiovascular disease, although this was of borderline statistical significance (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.40-1.01; P=0.054). In people considered obese, physical activity was significantly associated with a decreased risk of a MACE, regardless of the period preceding and following the diabetes diagnosis. Those who became inactive to active had the lowest risk of a MACE (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.18-0.79).

Conclusion

Maintaining active physical activity before and after a diagnosis of diabetes is essential to preventing cardiovascular disease. Early intervention strategies are necessary to promote physical activity and exercise routines after a diagnosis of diabetes in people with obesity and those with pre-existing cardiovascular disease.

Exercise Training and Cardiac Rehabilitation in COVID-19 Patients with Cardiovascular Complications: State of Art

Recent scientific literature has investigated the cardiovascular implications of COVID-19. The mechanisms of cardiovascular damage seem to involve the protein angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), to which severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus-2 (CoV-2) binds to penetrate cells and other mechanisms, most of which are still under study. Cardiovascular sequelae of COVID-19 include heart failure, cardiomyopathy, acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmias, and venous thromboembolism. This article aims to collect scientific evidence by exploiting PubMed, Scopus, and Pedro databases to highlight the cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 and to define the physiotherapy treatment recommended for these patients. Exercise training (ET), an important part of cardiac rehabilitation, is a powerful tool in physiotherapy, capable of inducing significant changes in the cardiovascular system and functional in the recovery of endothelial dysfunction and for the containment of thromboembolic complications. In conclusion, due to the wide variety of possible exercise programs that can be obtained by combining intensity, duration, and speed in various ways, and by adjusting the program based on continuous patient monitoring, exercise training is well suited to the treatment of post-COVID patients with an impaired cardiovascular system of various degrees.

Physical Activity and the Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

BACKGROUND

The association between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in coronary artery disease patients is not well known. We aim to assess whether there is an association between LTPA and the risk of SCD and non-SCD in patients with coronary artery disease.

METHODS

Patients with angiographically verified coronary artery disease (n=1946) underwent a clinical evaluation, including filling in an LTPA questionnaire and extensive risk profiling at the baseline. The patients were classified into 4 groups according to LTPA: (1) inactive; (2) irregularly active; (3) active, exercise regularly 2× to 3× weekly; (4) highly active, exercise regularly ≥4× weekly. Age, sex, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, type 2 diabetes mellitus, history of myocardial infarction, Canadian Cardiovascular Society grading of angina pectoris class, and exercise capacity were used as covariates in the multivariate Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

During follow-up (median 6.3 years), 52 SCDs and 49 non-SCDs occurred. Inactive patients had increased risk for SCD compared with active patients (hazard ratio, 2.45 [95% CI, 1.01-5.98]; P<0.05). A significant LTPA×Canadian Cardiovascular Society grading of angina pectoris class interaction was observed in SCD risk (P=0.019 in highly active patients). LTPA was not associated with SCD in patients with Canadian Cardiovascular Society grading of angina pectoris class 1 (n=1107, 18 events). Among patients with Canadian Cardiovascular Society grading of angina pectoris class 2 or higher (n=839, 34 events), increased risk for SCD was encountered in highly active patients (hazard ratio, 7.46 [95% CI, 2.32-23.9]; P<0.001) and inactive patients (hazard ratio, 3.64 [95% CI, 1.16-11.5]; P<0.05) as compared to active patients. A linear association was observed between LTPA and non-SCD; those with high LTPA had the lowest risk for non-SCD.

CONCLUSIONS

Inactive coronary artery disease patients had increased risk for SCD. In subgroup analysis among symptomatic patients, the risk of SCD was increased in highly active and inactive patients compared with active patients. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01426685.

Clinical Management of Stable Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Although cardiologists have long treated patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and concomitant type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), T2DM has traditionally been considered just a comorbidity that affected the development and progression of the disease. Over the past decade, a number of factors have shifted that have forced the cardiology community to reconsider the role of T2DM in CAD. First, in addition to being associated with increased cardiovascular risk, T2DM has the potential to affect a number of treatment choices for CAD. In this document, we discuss the role that T2DM has in the selection of testing for CAD, in medical management (both secondary prevention strategies and treatment of stable angina), and in the selection of revascularization strategy. Second, although glycemic control has been recommended as a part of comprehensive risk factor management in patients with CAD, there is mounting evidence that the mechanism by which glucose is managed can have a substantial impact on cardiovascular outcomes. In this document, we discuss the role of glycemic management (both in intensity of control and choice of medications) in cardiovascular outcomes. It is becoming clear that the cardiologist needs both to consider T2DM in cardiovascular treatment decisions and potentially to help guide the selection of glucose-lowering medications. Our statement provides a comprehensive summary of effective, patient-centered management of CAD in patients with T2DM, with emphasis on the emerging evidence. Given the increasing prevalence of T2DM and the accumulating evidence of the need to consider T2DM in treatment decisions, this knowledge will become ever more important to optimize our patients' cardiovascular outcomes.

Enhancement of hypothalamic-pituitary activity in male athletes: evidence of a novel hormonal mechanism of physical conditioning

BACKGROUND

Exercise is known to induce multiple beneficial conditioning processes. Conversely, although exercise may generate several hormonal effects, an intrinsic hormonal conditioning process has not been reported. In the Endocrine and Metabolic Responses on Overtraining Syndrome (EROS) study, we observed inherent and independent conditioning processes of the hypothalamic-pituitary axes in athletes. Our objective is to describe the theory of the novel hormonal conditioning mechanism using the findings from the EROS study.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we selected 25 healthy athletes (ATL) and 12 non-physically active healthy controls (NPAC), 18-50 years old, males, with BMI 20-30 kg/m², with similar baseline characteristics, who underwent gold-standard exercise-independent tests: cosyntropin stimulation test (CST) and insulin tolerance test (ITT), to evaluate cortisol response to CST, and ACTH, cortisol, GH, and prolactin responses to an ITT.

RESULTS

Responses to ITT were significantly earlier and higher in ATL than NPAC for cortisol [Mean ± SD: 21.7 ± 3.1 vs 16.9 ± 4.1 μg/dL; p < 0.001], GH [Median (95% CI): 12.73 (1.1-38.1) vs 4.80 (0.33-27.36) μg/L; p = 0.015], and prolactin [24.3 (10.5-67.45) vs 10.50 (6.21-43.44) ng/mL; p = 0.002]. Cortisol response to CST was similar between ATL and NPAC. During ITT, cortisol, GH, and ACTH mean increase in ATL were 52.2, 265.2, and 18.6% higher than NPAC, respectively. Prolactin response was absent in NPAC, while present in ATL.

CONCLUSIONS

We found sufficient evidence to propose the existence of a diffuse enhancement of the hypothalamic-pituitary activity in athletes, not restricted to any axis, showing an intrinsic and independent process of "hormonal conditioning" in athletes, similar to those observed in the cardiovascular and neuromuscular systems. This novel conditioning process may be the missing link for understanding the improved responses observed in athletes to harmful situations, traumas, infections, inflammations, and psychiatric conditions.

Effects of a 12-week moderate-intensity exercise training on blood glucose response in patients with type 2 diabetes: A prospective longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

The blood glucose response to moderate-intensity exercise remains unclear for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). In addition, little is known about determinants of blood glucose response to a 12-week moderate-intensity exercise training. Therefore, this study aimed to explore trends in blood glucose in response to a 12-week moderate-intensity exercise training in patients with T2DM and to explore the predictors of post-exercise blood glucose (PEBG) and exercise-induced glucose response (EIGR).

METHODS

A prospective longitudinal study was conducted. Of the 66 participants with T2DM recruited from outpatient clinics of a medical center, 20 were eligible to enroll in a 12-week moderate-intensity exercise training. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 exercise times (morning, afternoon, or evening). Blood glucose were measured pre- and post-exercise. The EIGR was calculated by subtracting the PEBG from the before-exercise blood glucose (BEBG). Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the trends and predictors of PEBG and EIGR.

RESULTS

The BEBG declined progressively (β = -1.69, P < .001); while the PEBG (β = -0.18, P = .08) remained stable over time during the 12-week exercise training. Higher BEBG predicted higher (β = 0.53, P < .001) PEBG. Higher baseline maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) contributed to a larger magnitude of EIGR; higher HgbA1c and BEBG predicted higher EIGR (β = 0.27, P = .02; β = 0.45, P < .001); afternoon or evening exercise predicted lower (β = -13.2, P = .04; β = -5.96, P = .005) EIGR than did morning exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

A 12-week moderate-intensity exercise training appears safe for patients with T2DM. Time of day for exercise, baseline VO2max, and baseline metabolic control may influence the impact of exercise for individuals with T2DM. These findings provide considerations for design of optimal exercise training for T2DM patients.

Association of smoking with coronary artery disease in Nepalese populations: a case control study

There are well-known traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). Among them, smoking is one of the most prominent and modifiable risk factors. This study aims to determine the magnitude of smoking as a risk factor for CAD in the Nepalese population. A hospital-based age- and sex-matched case-control study was carried out with a total of 612 respondents. Bivariate analysis showed that the risk of developing CAD in ex-smokers and current smokers was higher (odds ratio (OR): 1.81 (confidence interval (CI): 1.21-2.7) and OR: 5.2 (CI: 3.4-7.97)), with p-values less than 0.004 and <0.00001, respectively, compared to the risk in never smokers. From stratified socio-demographic, cardio-metabolic, behavioural and psychosocial risk factor analysis, smoking was found to be associated with CAD in almost all subgroups. In the subsequent multivariate analysis, adjustment for socio-demographic, cardio-metabolic and psychosocial risk factors showed a steady increase in risk. However, further adjustment for behavioural risk factors (alcohol use and physical activity) showed that the risk was attenuated by 59% in current smokers. After adjusting for the covariates, current smokers and ex-smokers had an increased risk of CAD (OR: 6.64, 95% CI: 3.64-12.12, p < 0.00001; OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.08-3.31, p < 0.012, respectively) compared with non-smokers. In conclusion, smoking was found to increase the risk of CAD in the Nepalese population.

Changes in behaviors after diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and 10-year incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality

Background

Large changes in health behaviors achieved through intensive lifestyle intervention programs improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among adults with type 2 diabetes. However, such interventions are not widely available, and there is limited evidence as to whether changes in behaviors affect risk of CVD events.

Methods

Among 852 adults with screen-detected type 2 diabetes in the ADDITION-Cambridge study, we assessed changes in diet, physical activity, and alcohol use in the year following diabetes diagnosis. Participants were recruited from 49 general practices in Eastern England from 2002 to 2006, and were followed through 2014 for incidence of CVD events (n = 116) and all-cause mortality (n = 127). We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for the associations of changes in behaviors with CVD and all-cause mortality. We estimated associations with CVD risk factors using linear regression. We considered changes in individual behaviors and overall number of healthy changes. Models adjusted for demographic factors, bodyweight, smoking, baseline value of the health behavior, and cardio-protective medication use.

Results

Decreasing alcohol intake by ≥ 2 units/week was associated with lower hazard of CVD vs maintenance [HR: 0.56, 95% CI 0.36, 0.87]. Decreasing daily calorie intake by ≥ 300 kcal was associated with lower hazard of all-cause mortality vs maintenance [HR: 0.56, 95% CI 0.34, 0.92]. Achieving ≥ 2 healthy behavior changes was associated with lower hazard of CVD vs no healthy changes [HR: 0.39, 95% CI 0.18, 0.82].

Conclusions

In the year following diabetes diagnosis, small reductions in alcohol use were associated with lower hazard of CVD and small reductions in calorie intake were associated with lower hazard of all-cause mortality in a population-based sample. Where insufficient resources exist for specialist-led interventions, achievement of moderate behavior change targets is possible outside of treatment programs and may reduce long-term risk of CVD complications.

Trial registration This trial is registered as ISRCTN86769081. Retrospectively registered 15 December 2006

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12933-019-0902-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Associations between vigorous physical activity and chronic diseases in older adults: a study in 13 European countries

Background

This study aimed to assess cross-sectional and prospective relationships between vigorous physical activity (VPA) and the risk of major chronic diseases among European older adults.

Methods

Participants were 37 524 older adults who responded to the fourth (in 2011) and fifth (in 2013) wave of the SHARE project, from 13 European countries. Participants answered interview questions about the presence of chronic conditions and VPA. The cross-sectional and prospective association between PA and the number of chronic diseases was assessed using logistic regression models.

Results

Among men and women, the prevalence of chronic diseases was significantly lower among those who reported VPA once a week or more than once a week. For men, VPA once a week was prospectively related with lower odds of heart attack, chronic lung disease, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. VPA more than once a week was prospectively related with lower odds of having all chronic diseases. Women who engaged in VPA once a week presented lower odds of having chronic diseases, except for hypertension, high blood cholesterol and cancer. For VPA more than once a week, cancer was the only disease not associated with physical activity.

Conclusion

VPA is associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases in men and women. Even the practice of VPA once a week seems to be sufficient to reduce risks of chronic diseases.

Home Monitoring of Heart Rate as a Predictor of Imminent Cardiovascular Events

Introduction: Previous studies have documented that day-to-day variability of heart rate (HR) has prognostic significance for cardiovascular (CV) events in general population. It is unknown how HR dynamics variate before imminent CV event in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Our aim was to study day-to-day variation in HR dynamics before the occurrence of CV event in patients with initially stable CAD.

Methods: Forty-four patients with angiographically documented CAD from ARTEMIS study measured R-R intervals on a weekly basis at home for 2 years. Home measurements were performed in controlled conditions (3 min at supine and sitting) 1–2 times per week. Eleven patients had a CV event (7 acute coronary syndromes, 1 cardiac death, 2 new onset of arrhythmia needing hospitalization and 1 stroke), which occurred 11 ± 7 months after enrolment. Mean R-R interval was analyzed prospectively from the home measurements. For the patients with new CV event, average, and standard deviation (SD) of the mean R-R interval over 8 weeks preceding the CV event were calculated. For the patients without new CV event, corresponding period was determined by the median follow-up at the occurrence of new CV event.

Results: There were no differences in the mean R-R interval analyzed over 8 weeks between the patients with and without new CV event. The variability of mean R-R interval over 8 weeks was greater in the patients with new CV event compared to the patients without new CV event at the supine (95 ± 34 vs. 59 ± 26 ms, p < 0.001) and sitting positions (92 ± 28 vs. 62 ± 24 ms, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Day-to-day variability of mean R-R interval is greater before the new CV event in CAD patients suggesting to a more unstable cardiac autonomic regulation preceding these events.

Inter-correlations Among Clinical, Metabolic, and Biochemical Parameters and Their Predictive Value in Healthy and Overtrained Male Athletes: The EROS-CORRELATIONS Study

Objectives: The Endocrine and Metabolic Responses on Overtraining Syndrome (EROS) study identified multiple hormonal and metabolic conditioning processes in athletes, and underlying mechanisms and biomarkers of overtraining syndrome (OTS). The present study's objective was to reveal independent predictors and linear correlations among the parameters evaluated in the EROS study to predict clinical, metabolic, and biochemical behaviors in healthy and OTS-affected male athletes. Methods: We used multivariate linear regression and linear correlation to analyze possible combinations of the 38 parameters evaluated in the EROS study that revealed significant differences between healthy and OTS-affected athletes. Results: The testosterone-to-estradiol (T:E) ratio predicted the measured-to-predicted basal metabolic rate (BMR) ratio; the T:E ratio and total testosterone level were inversely predicted by fat mass and estradiol was not predicted by any of the non-modifiable parameters. Early and late growth hormone, cortisol, and prolactin responses to an insulin tolerance test (ITT) were strongly correlated. Hormonal responses to the ITT were positively correlated with fat oxidation, predicted-to-measured BMR ratio, muscle mass, and vigor, and inversely correlated with fat mass and fatigue. Salivary cortisol 30 min after awakening and the T:E ratio were inversely correlated with fatigue. Tension was inversely correlated with libido and directly correlated with body fat. The predicted-to-measured BMR ratio was correlated with muscle mass and body water, while fat oxidation was directly correlated with muscle mass and inversely correlated with fat mass. Muscle mass was directly correlated with body water, and extracellular water was directly correlated with body fat and inversely correlated with body water and muscle mass. Conclusions: Hypothalamic-pituitary responses to stimulation were diffuse and indistinguishable between the different axes. A late hormonal response to stimulation, increased cortisol after awakening, and the T:E ratio were correlated with vigor and fatigue. The T:E ratio was also correlated with body metabolism and composition, testosterone was predicted by fat mass, and estradiol predicted anger. Hydration status was inversely correlated with edema, and inter-correlations were found among fat oxidation, hydration, and body fat.

Effects of a Two-Year Home-Based Exercise Training Program on Oxidized LDL and HDL Lipids in Coronary Artery Disease Patients with and without Type-2 Diabetes

We investigated the effect of two-year home-based exercise training program on oxidized low-density lipoprotein LDL (ox-LDL) and high-density lipoprotein HDL (ox-HDL) lipids in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), both with and without type-2 diabetes (T2D). Analysis of lipoprotein-oxidized lipids was based on the determination of baseline conjugated dienes in lipoprotein lipids. In order to study the effect of an exercise load on ox-LDL and ox-HDL lipids patients in both CAD and CAD + T2D intervention, groups were divided in three based on exercise load (high, medium, and low). During the two-year home-based exercise training program, the study showed that only higher training volume resulted in a decreased concentration of ox-LDL, while the two groups with lower training volumes showed no change. This result indicates that the training load needs to be sufficiently high in order to decrease the concentration of atherogenic ox-LDL lipids in patients with CAD and CAD + T2D. Interestingly, the concentration of ox-HDL did not change in any of the subgroups. This could indicate that the lipid peroxide-transporting capacity of HDL, suggested by results from exercise training studies in healthy adults, may not function similarly in CAD patients with or without T2D. Moreover, the lipid-lowering medication used may have had an influence on these results.

Cross-Sectional and Prospective Relationship Between Low-to-Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity and Chronic Diseases in Older Adults From 13 European Countries

AIM

To assess the relationship between low-to-moderate-intensity physical activity (LMPA) in 2011 and chronic diseases in 2011 and 2013 among older European adults.

METHODS

Participants (16,157 men and 21,260 women) from 13 European countries were interviewed about the presence of chronic conditions and LMPA. The association between LMPA and number of chronic diseases was assessed using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Most of the older adults participated in LMPA more than once a week (81.9%), 8.4% participated once a week, and 9.3% did not participate. The prevalence of chronic diseases was significantly lower among those who reported engaging in LMPA. The LMPA in 2011 was related with lower odds of having several chronic diseases in 2013.

CONCLUSION

Engaging in LMPA is associated with reduced risk for chronic diseases in older European men and women. Even the practice of LMPA once a week seems to be enough to diminish the risk of having chronic diseases.

Depressive Symptoms and Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death in Stable Coronary Artery Disease

The association between the mode of death and depression in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) is far from clear. We investigated the association between depressive symptoms and the mode of death including all-cause mortality, noncardiac death, sudden cardiac death (SCD), and non-SCD in stable CAD patients. Patients with angiographically documented CAD (n = 1,928) underwent a clinical examination including screening for depression symptoms with the Depression Scale (DEPS) and extensive risk profiling at the baseline. The patients were divided into quartiles based on their DEPS score. The patients entered the follow-up (median 6.3 years) during which 49 SCDs (2.5%) and 48 non-SCDs (2.5%) occurred. The incidence of SCD was 1.1% (5 events), 2.0% (9 events), 2.6% (14 events), and 4.4% (21 events) from the lowest to the highest quartile of DEPS. The patients in the highest quartile of DEPS had a fourfold elevated univariate risk (95% confidence interval 1.5 to 10.5; p = 0.006), and after adjustment for traditional risk factors, a 3.2-fold elevated multivariate risk (95% confidence interval 1.2 to 8.9, p = 0.025) for SCD compared with patients in the lowest quartile. DEPS was not associated with non-SCD or noncardiac deaths. Depressive symptoms are associated with an increased risk of SCD independently of clinical risk factors in patients with CAD. The results highlight the importance of screening for depression and emphasize the need for additional interventions to alleviate the depressive symptoms in these patients.

Active aging - resilience and external support as modifiers of the disablement outcome: AGNES cohort study protocol

Background

Population aging increases the need for knowledge on positive aspects of aging, and contributions of older people to their own wellbeing and that of others. We defined active aging as an individual’s striving for elements of wellbeing with activities as per their goals, abilities and opportunities. This study examines associations of health, health behaviors, health literacy and functional abilities, environmental and social support with active aging and wellbeing. We will develop and validate assessment methods for physical activity and physical resilience suitable for research on older people, and examine their associations with active aging and wellbeing. We will examine cohort effects on functional phenotypes underlying active aging and disability.

Methods

For this population-based study, we plan to recruit 1000 participants aged 75, 80 or 85 years living in central Finland, by drawing personal details from the population register. Participants are interviewed on active aging, wellbeing, disability, environmental and social support, mobility, health behavior and health literacy. Physical activity and heart rate are monitored for 7 days with wearable sensors. Functional tests include hearing, vision, muscle strength, reaction time, exercise tolerance, mobility, and cognitive performance. Clinical examination by a nurse and physician includes an electrocardiogram, tests of blood pressure, orthostatic regulation, arterial stiffness, and lung function, as well as a review of chronic and acute conditions and prescribed medications. C-reactive protein, small blood count, cholesterol and vitamin D are analyzed from blood samples. Associations of factors potentially underlying active aging and wellbeing will be studied using multivariate methods. Cohort effects will be studied by comparing test results of physical and cognitive functioning with results of a cohort examined in 1989–90.

Conclusions

The current study will renew research on positive gerontology through the novel approach to active aging and by suggesting new biomarkers of resilience and active aging. Therefore, high interdisciplinary impact is expected. This cross-sectional study will not provide knowledge on temporal order of events or causality, but an innovative cross-sectional dataset provides opportunities for emergence of novel creative hypotheses and theories.

Exercise Protects Against Defective Insulin Signaling and Insulin Resistance of Glucose Transport in Skeletal Muscle of Angiotensin II-Infused Rat

Objectives: The present study investigated the impact of voluntary exercise on insulin-stimulated glucose transport and the protein expression and phosphorylation status of the signaling molecules known to be involved in the glucose transport process in the soleus muscle as well as other cardiometabolic risks in a rat model with insulin resistance syndrome induced by chronic angiotensin II (ANGII) infusion. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to sedentary or voluntary wheel running (VWR) groups. Following a 6-week period, rats in each group were subdivided and subcutaneously administered either normal saline or ANGII at 100 ng/kg/min for 14 days. Blood pressure, glucose tolerance, insulin-stimulated glucose transport and signaling proteins, including insulin receptor (IR), insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), Akt, Akt substrate of 160 kDa (AS160), AMPKα, c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAPK, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), ANGII type 1 receptor (AT1R), ACE2, Mas receptor (MasR) and oxidative stress marker in the soleus muscle, were evaluated. Results: Exercise protected against the insulin resistance of glucose transport and defective insulin signaling molecules in the soleus muscle; this effect was associated with a significant increase in AMPK Thr¹⁷² (43%) and decreases in oxidative stress marker (31%) and insulin-induced p38 MAPK Thr¹⁸⁰/Tyr¹⁸² (45%) and SAPK/JNK Thr¹⁸³/Tyr¹⁸⁵ (25%), without significant changes in expression of AT1R, AT2R, ACE, ACE2, and MasR when compared to the sedentary rats given ANGII infusion. At the systemic level, VWR significantly decreased body weight, fat weight, and systolic blood pressure as well as improved serum lipid profiles. Conclusion: Voluntary exercise can alleviate insulin resistance of glucose transport and impaired insulin signaling molecules in the soleus muscle and improve whole-body insulin sensitivity in rats chronically administered with ANGII.

Effect of Changes in Physical Activity on Risk for Cardiac Death in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with longevity in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, less is known about prognostic significance of longitudinally assessed LTPA in patients with stable CAD. The present study assessed the relationship between changes in LTPA and cardiac mortality in patients with CAD. Patients with angiographically documented CAD (n = 1,746) underwent clinical examination and echocardiography at the baseline. Lifestyle factors, including LTPA (inactive, irregularly active, active, highly active), were surveyed at baseline and after 2 years' follow-up. Thereafter, the patients entered the follow-up (median: 4.5 years; first to third quartile: 3.4 to 5.8 years) during which cardiac deaths were registered (n = 68, 3.9%). The patients who remained inactive (n = 114, 18 events, 16%) and became inactive (n = 228, 18 events, 8%) had 7.6- (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.2 to 13.6) and 3.7-fold (95% CI 2.1 to 6.7) univariate risk for cardiac death compared with those who remained at least irregularly active (n = 1,351, 30 events, 2%), respectively. After adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, diabetes, previous myocardial infarction, left ventricular ejection fraction, angina pectoris grading, cardiovascular event during initial 2-year follow-up, smoking and alcohol consumption, the patients who remained inactive and became inactive still had 4.9- (95% CI 2.4 to 9.8, p <0.001) and 2.4-fold (95% CI 1.3 to 4.5, p <0.01) risk for cardiac death, respectively, compared with patients remaining at least irregularly active. In conclusion, LTPA has important prognostic value for cardiac death in patients with stable CAD. Even minor changes in LTPA over 2 years were related to the subsequent risk for cardiac death.

Physical Exercise and Its Protective Effects on Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: What Is the Evidence?

As one of the most serious complications of diabetes, diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) imposes a huge burden on individuals and society, and represents a major public health problem. It has long been recognized that physical exercise has important health benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes, and regular physical exercise can delay or prevent the complications of diabetes. Current studies show that physical exercise has been regarded as an importantly non-pharmacological treatment for diabetes and DCM, with high efficacy and low adverse events. It can inhibit the pathological processes of myocardial apoptosis, myocardial fibrosis, and myocardial microvascular diseases through improving myocardial metabolism, enhancing the regulation of Ca²⁺, and protecting the function of mitochondria. Eventually, it can alleviate the occurrence and development of diabetic complications. Describing the mechanisms of physical exercise on DCM may provide a new theory for alleviating, or even reversing the development of DCM, and prevent it from developing to heart failure.

The association between physical activity and chronic diseases in European adults

Chronic diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality and are considered to be at epidemic levels worldwide. This is a cross-sectional multi-country study based on data from the European Social Survey round 7, 2014, comprising 30,826 participants (14,813 men) with mean age 50.4 ± 18.0. Physical activity and chronic diseases were self-reported. Men and women who practiced physical activity more often had lower odds of having heart problems, breathing problems, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Engaged in physical activity 2-4 times/week and ≥5 times/week decrease the odds of having heart problems, high blood pressure, breathing problems, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, compared with men and women who engaged in physical activity 1 or less times per week. For the women, the practice of physical activity ≥5 times/week was significantly and negatively associated with having cancer, when compared with women who engaged in physical activity 1 or less times per week. Physical activity is associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases, in particular: heart problems, high blood pressure, breathing problems, allergies, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Furthermore, even small amounts of weekly physical activity seem to decrease the risk of chronic diseases.

Lifestyle Medicine and the Management of Cardiovascular Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Evidence has clearly demonstrated the importance of lifestyle factors (e.g., diet, physical activity, smoking) in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Interventions targeting these behaviors may improve outcomes for CVD patients. The aim of this review is to summarize the effects of lifestyle interventions in individuals with established CVD.

RECENT FINDINGS

Most recent trials focused on diet, physical activity, stress reduction, or a combination of these. Findings were mixed, but most interventions improved at least some markers of cardiovascular risk. Few studies measured long-term clinical outcomes, but some suggested a possible benefit of stress reduction and multifaceted interventions on cardiovascular events. The benefits of lifestyle change for CVD patients have been established by decades of evidence. However, further research is needed to determine the optimal intensity, duration, and mode of delivery for interventions. Additional studies with long-term follow-up and measurement of clinical outcomes are also needed.

Prevalence of physical activity in European adults - Compliance with the World Health Organization's physical activity guidelines

BACKGROUND

Adults are recommended to engage in at least 150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA).

PURPOSE

This study aimed to examine the level of compliance with PA recommendations among European adults.

METHODS

Using data from European Social Survey round 6, PA self-report data was collected from 52,936 European adults from 29 countries in 2012. Meeting PA guidelines was assessed using World Health Organization criteria.

RESULTS

61.47% (60.77% male, 62.05% female) of European adults reported to be engaged in moderate to vigorous PA at least 30 min on 5 or more days per week. The likelihood of achieving the PA recommended levels was higher among respondents older than 18-24. For those aged 45-64 years the likelihood increased 65% (OR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.51-1.82, p<0.001) and 112% (OR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.94-2.32, p<0.001) for males and females, respectively. Those who were high school graduates were more likely to report achieving the recommended PA levels than those with less than high school education (males: OR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.12-1.27, p<0.001; females: OR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.06-1.20, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Although about 60% of European adults reported achieving the recommended levels of PA, there is much room for improvement among European adults, particularly among relatively inactive subgroups.

Modulation of endothelial cell phenotype by physical activity: impact on obesity-related endothelial dysfunction

Increased levels of physical activity are associated with reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and mortality in obesity and diabetes. Available evidence suggests that local factors, including local hemodynamics, account for a significant portion of this CVD protection, and numerous studies have interrogated the therapeutic benefit of physical activity/exercise training in CVD. Less well established is whether basal differences in endothelial cell phenotype between/among vasculatures related to muscle recruitment patterns during activity may account for reports of nonuniform development of endothelial dysfunction in obesity. This is the focus of this review. We highlight recent work exploring the vulnerability of two distinct vasculatures with established differences in endothelial cell phenotype. Specifically, based largely on dramatic differences in underlying hemodynamics, arteries perfusing soleus muscle (slow-twitch muscle fibers) and those perfusing gastrocnemius muscle (fast-twitch muscle fibers) in the rat exhibit an exercise training-like versus an untrained endothelial cell phenotype, respectively. In the context of obesity, therefore, arteries to soleus muscle exhibit protection from endothelial dysfunction compared with vulnerable arteries to gastrocnemius muscle. This disparate vulnerability is consistent with numerous animal and human studies, demonstrating increased skeletal muscle blood flow heterogeneity in obesity coincident with reduced muscle function and exercise intolerance. Mechanistically, we highlight emerging areas of inquiry exploring novel aspects of hemodynamic-sensitive signaling in endothelial cells and the time course of physical activity-associated endothelial adaptations. Lastly, further exploration needs to consider the impact of endothelial heterogeneity on the development of endothelial dysfunction because endothelial dysfunction independently predicts CVD events.