Activité physique, athérome et athérothrombose

Physical activity (PA) ameliorates physical capacities in cardiovascular diseases, by improving muscular perfusion and oxidative metabolism with a better adaptation of cardiac output at effort. PA intervenes at the various stages of atheromatous plaque formation to prevent and stabilize it and to limit its complications. Multiple mechanisms are involved: actions on endothelial dysfunction, hyperadrenergia, insulin resistance, renin activation, inflammation and coagulation abnormalities. PA also plays a role in the control of risk factors (diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemias, excess of weight, depression). Recommendations indicate to practice a global, moderate-intensity PA, 30 minutes per day, 5-day per week, associated with resistance exercise for muscular reinforcement twice a week. These measures result in a 30% gain, as a mean, on mortality.