{"id":236869,"date":"2021-04-27T23:05:04","date_gmt":"2021-04-27T20:05:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/physical-activity-reduces-cardiovascular-risk-in-rheumatic-patients\/"},"modified":"2021-04-27T23:05:04","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T20:05:04","slug":"physical-activity-reduces-cardiovascular-risk-in-rheumatic-patients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/physical-activity-reduces-cardiovascular-risk-in-rheumatic-patients\/","title":{"rendered":"#Physical activity reduces cardiovascular risk in rheumatic patients"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#Physical activity reduces cardiovascular risk in rheumatic patients<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

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\n People with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are more likely to have heart attacks, angina, and strokes. A review of the scientific literature on the subject shows that regular exercise improves vascular function in these patients (photo: Diego Rezende)
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The risk of developing atherosclerosis\u2014a narrowing of the arteries as cholesterol plaque builds up, leading to obstruction of blood flow\u2014is higher for people with autoimmune rheumatic diseases than for the general<\/a> population. As a result, they are more likely to have heart attacks and other cardiovascular disorders.\n <\/p>\n

The good news<\/a>, according to a new study published in Rheumatology<\/i>, is that regular exercise is a powerful weapon against vascular dysfunction in these patients.<\/p>\n

In the article, researchers working in Brazil and the United Kingdom report the results of a systematic review of the scientific literature on the subject. The review, which was supported by FAPESP, covered ten studies involving 355 volunteers with various diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and spondyloarthritis (inflammation of the spine). The subjects took exercise programs such as walking in a park or on a treadmill, stationary cycling, high-intensity interval training, and muscle building. Most of the programs lasted 12 weeks.<\/p>\n

“Our analysis of the results showed that exercise improved small and large vessel endothelial function to a clinically significant extent. Accordingly, we suggested that exercise can be considered ‘medication’ for these patients because of its potential to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events,” said Tiago Pe\u00e7anha, first author of the article. Pe\u00e7anha is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of S\u00e3o Paulo’s Medical School (FM-USP) in Brazil.<\/p>\n

These rheumatic diseases, he explained, are the result of an imbalance in the immune system that leads to the production of antibodies against the subject’s own organism, especially joints, muscles, ligame<\/a>nts and tendons. While there is no definitive cure for these diseases, they can be controlled by treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, and biologics (drugs from living sources).<\/p>\n

“Treatment doesn’t prevent patients from developing certain co-morbidities. Cardiovascular disease is the most worrisome,” Pe\u00e7anha said. “The risk of heart attack is twice as high for people with rheumatoid arthritis as for healthy people. For people with lupus or psoriatic arthritis, the incidence of ischemic events (heart attack, angina and stroke) is between two and five times as high.” <\/p>\n

Atherosclerosis develops rapidly in these patients owing to the chronic inflammation associated with rheumatic disease and continuous use of anti-inflammatory drugs. “It all begins with changes in blood vessel structure and function,” Pe\u00e7anha said. “The arteries gradually harden and stop being able to dilate when necessary. Changes occur above all in the endothelium (the layer of cells lining the interior surface of blood vessels). Alterations in vascular function, especially endothelial function, are considered initial markers of atherosclerosis for this reason.”<\/p>\n

The systematic review showed that exercise improved small and large vessel vascular function in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. However, the authors note that given the small number of studies reviewed the evidence is not sufficient to state categorically that exercise also promotes a structural recovery of damaged arteries.<\/p>\n

“This area (physical activity in rheumatology) is still new, so more research is needed to identify the best exercise protocols and investigate such aspects as safety and adherence,” Pe\u00e7anha said. “In any event, the data in our study underlines the importance of regular exercise to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease in these patients.”<\/p>\n

For people with rheumatic disease, as indeed for everyone else, Pe\u00e7anha recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week. Aerobic exercise should predominate and be complemented by activities that foster strength and balance.\n <\/p>\n\n

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‘Stay at home but don’t stay still,’ researchers recommend\n <\/p><\/div>\n

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\n More information:<\/strong>
\n Tiago Pe\u00e7anha et al, EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON VASCULAR FUNCTION IN AUTOIMMUNE RHEUMATIC DISEASES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS, Rheumatology<\/i> (2021). DOI: 10.1093\/rheumatology\/keab094<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

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\n Citation<\/strong>:
\n Physical activity reduces cardiovascular risk in rheumatic patients (2021, April 27)
\n retrieved 27 April 2021
\n from https:\/\/medicalxpress.com\/news\/2021-04-physical-cardiovascular-rheumatic-patients.html<\/p>\n

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\n part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n