Physical exertion may harm heart patients

Sudden increases in physical exertion appear to activate clotting factors in the blood of patients with coronary artery disease, indicating that physical exercise by these individuals should be regular and consistent. Previous studies have shown that sudden, short-term physical exertion can activate coagulation mechanisms in healthy people and patients with coronary artery disease but such studies have used testing not available to most patients. Researchers from the University Department of Medicine, Birmingham, UK investigated whether the incremental shuffle walks test (ISWT), a standardised walking test, adversely affects blood markers of cell damage and dysfunction, coagulation factors, and blood viscosity in 53 patients with coronary artery disease and in 10 matched healthy controls. Before testing, the patients had significantly higher concentrations of blood clotting factors than did controls. Immediately after ISWT, patients had significantly increased levels of clotting factors, it was found. In contrast, healthy controls experienced significant increases in clotting factors only immediately after the ISWT. Increases in some coagulations components were also significantly lower in healthy controls than in coronary artery disease patients. Although larger studies are needed, regular consistent exercise is better than a sudden exertional stress in sedentary individuals. Blood clotting underlies most cardiovascular conditions, and understanding the pathophysiology may help develop new management strategies. The researchers are conducting other studies investigating the effect of mental and physical stress on (the balance of blood components) in different cardiac diseases.