Research reveals how physical exercise protects the heart

(Funda ç ã o de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de S ã o Paulo) A study by the University of S ã o Paulo (USP) in Brazil, published recently in the journal Autophagy, helps to elucidate part of the mechanism whereby aerobic exercise protects the sick heart. The benefits of exercise range from prevention of cachexia -- severe loss of weight and muscle mass -- and control of arterial blood pressure to improved cardiac function, postponing a degenerative process that causes progressive heart cell death. About 70% of heart failure patients die from the condition within five years.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news