12.4 Flashcards
(10 cards)
- What is dyslipidaemia and how does it contribute to CVD?
Dyslipidaemia is an abnormal lipid profile—characterized by elevated LDL and triglycerides with low HDL—which promotes atherosclerotic plaque formation, increasing the risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
- How does the balance of circulating lipids influence atherosclerosis?
High levels of pro-atherogenic lipids (LDL and triglycerides) lead to their deposition in arterial walls, while low HDL reduces reverse cholesterol transport, collectively accelerating plaque buildup and arterial narrowing.
- What is one of the basic mechanisms by which aerobic exercise influences lipid homeostasis?
Aerobic exercise increases skeletal muscle fatty acid oxidation by enhancing mitochondrial density and upregulating lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, which helps break down triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.
- How does aerobic exercise affect LDL and HDL cholesterol levels?
Regular aerobic exercise can modestly reduce LDL levels and increase HDL cholesterol, shifting the lipid profile toward a less atherogenic state.
- What minimum duration of aerobic exercise is suggested to achieve improvements in lipid metabolism?
At least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is recommended to enhance fatty acid oxidation and favorably modify lipid levels.
- How does high-intensity aerobic exercise compare to moderate exercise in influencing lipid profiles?
More vigorous aerobic exercise generally produces greater improvements in lipid metabolism, exhibiting dose-dependent effects on triglyceride breakdown and HDL elevation.
- In what ways does improved lipid homeostasis contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular disease via exercise?
By lowering pro-atherogenic lipid levels and reducing systemic inflammation, aerobic exercise lessens plaque buildup, improves endothelial function, and lowers blood pressure—collectively reducing CVD risk.
- How do skeletal muscle adaptations from aerobic exercise enhance lipid metabolism?
Aerobic training increases the oxidative capacity of muscles through mitochondrial biogenesis, thereby boosting fatty acid oxidation and reducing circulating triglycerides.
- Beyond lipid changes, how does aerobic exercise benefit overall cardiovascular function?
Exercise improves arterial flexibility, lowers systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure, and enhances cardiac output, all of which help reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke.
- What is the overall impact of aerobic exercise on mortality in CVD?
Regular aerobic exercise is associated with lower hazard ratios for both all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, making it a key preventive and management strategy for CVD.
