[Arterial obliterative disease and physical activity].
Regular physical exercise represents an essential element in treating patients with second-stage peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Peripheral arterial occlusive disease is a characteristic clinical manifestation of atherothrombotic processes. Its prevalence is 2-3%, consequently, it is estimated to be 200,000-300,000 patients in Hungary. Coronary artery disease and atherothrombosis of the carotid artery system may frequently coexist with peripheral arterial obliterative disease. Treatment of peripheral arterial obliterative disease influences their prevalence and prognosis as well. The main aim of regular physical exercise is to improve the quality of life of patients by increasing the functional capacity of the lower limbs. During exercise beneficial vascular changes occur like haemodynamic changes consisting of increasing pressure-gradient of stenotic artery and opening of collateral vessels, as well as improvement of the endothelial dysfunction. It favourably influences lipid profile by decreasing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol. Physical exercise beneficially affects blood rheology as well. It also brings about structural changes in the skeletal muscles, increases the enzyme levels in the oxidative metabolic processes and enhances the density of capillaries in the skeletal muscle fibres. According to the data published so far, patients with peripheral arterial obliterative disease are recommended to take part in supervised treadmill walking at least 3 days per week for 30-60 minutes each session containing 5-5 minute warm-up and cool-down periods. The training should be of intermittent intensity at the pain-free threshold. The physiological benefits are optimised at 3-6 months. The home-based training programme is also remarkably useful.
Landi
Anna
A
Fovárosi Szent István Kórház IV. Belgyógyászat Budapest Nagyvárad tér 1. 1096, Hungary. dr.Landi.Anna@freemail.hu
Jassó
István
I
D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D015444:Exercise; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL