Can Intense Exercise Contribute to Cardiovascular disease?

Aerobic exercise is associated with a number of beneficial effects, including reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, decreased blood pressure, improved insulin sensitivity, weight loss and favorable alterations in lipids. However, intense exercise may have significant deleterious cardiovascular effects. Excessive physical activity may cause increased oxidative stress with resultant endothelial dysfunction and progressive atherosclerosis. Furthermore, intense exercise may promote exercise-induced hypertension that is also associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased cardiovascular mortality. The purpose of this article is to summarize our current understanding of whether intense exercise can contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease.