Protective effects of regular physical activity on human vascular system.

Regular physical activity exerts a comprehensive beneficial effect on the human vascular system. The benefits provided by physical activity are both direct and indirect. Direct protective actions of aerobic exercise are identifiable on vascular structures and functions, since regular physical activity guarantees the integrity of the endothelial function, promotes the decrease of oxidative stress and prompts the development of new muscular capillaries. Moreover, moderate aerobic effort has positive effects on fibrinolysis, blood viscosity and vascular tone. Indirect benefits include the pleiotropic actions of physical activity on cardiovascular risk factors, in particular hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity. In a primary and secondary prevention perspective, moderate physical activity reduces in a significant way the risk of appearance of ischemic heart disease and the mortality of already established ischemic heart disease. In conclusion, health operators ought to remind their patients to "Stay physically active" in order to "Stay really fit and healthy".