Effects of exercise therapy on arterial stiffness and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients with cardiometabolic syndrome

Abstract

Background: Exercise improves vascular function and hemodynamics. To demonstrate this, several studies have shown acute positive effects on arterial stiffness, blood pressure, and other cardiometabolic risk factors that are associated with overall cardiovascular health. However, longitudinal studies have yet to illustrate this hypothesis in exercise prescription research. The aim of this study is to exemplify the use of exercise therapy (ExT) to improve cardiovascular health risk factors in hospital outpatients with cardiometabolic syndrome.

Methods: This is a longitudinal cohort study to analyze vascular function, blood pressure, and lipid profile in adult hospital outpatients of Hospital Nova. The study follows up measured parameters of subjects after six-month exercise therapy. Arterial stiffness, blood pressure, body composition, lipid profile, and maximal oxygen uptake were evaluated prior to and after six months of exercise. Paired T-test was used to show changes between pre- and post-intervention.

Results: Eleven (11) subjects completed arteriograph measurements. There was a significant improvement in arterial stiffness after six months of exercise therapy [Δ=0.790 m/s, SD=0.802, t(10)=3.23, p=0.009]. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure also improved, however they are not statistically significant (SBP Δ: -2.27 mmHg, SD=10.1, t(10)=3.232, p=0.448; DBP Δ=- 1.36 mmHg, SD=6.65, t(10)=3.232, p=0.476]. Similarly, blood cholesterol (Δ=-0.04, SD=0.360, p=0.681), high-density lipoprotein (Δ=+0.03, SD=0.360, p=0.583), low-density lipoprotein (Δ=-0.08, SD=0.256, p=0.273), triglycerides (Δ=0.12, SD=0.304, p=0.266), all improved but statistically insignificant and only high-sensitive c- reactive protein (Δ=1.32, SD=2.36, p=0.05) significantly improved. Maximal oxygen consumption has also deteriorated (Δ=+1.35, SD=3.77, p=0.264). In contrast, there were significant changes in body fat percentage (Δ=-2.59 %, SD=2.27, p<0.05), fat mass (Δ=-3.11kg, SD=4.39, p<0.05), visceral fat range (Δ=-27.94m2, SD=23.39, p<0.05), and skeletal muscle mass (Δ=+1.14kg, SD=1.63, p<0.05).

Conclusions: Arterial stiffness and body composition improved after a six month exercise therapy in outpatients with cardiometabolic syndrome. These changes were independent from the changes seen in blood pressure and lipid profile.