Key result
Physical exercise improves endothelial function in CVD patients but shows no benefit for quality of life.
Why the study?
The effect of physical exercise interventions on endothelial function, quality of life, and cardiovascular health markers in patients with cardiovascular disease was not fully established.
Do physical exercise interventions improve endothelial function, quality of life, and physical performance in adults with cardiovascular disease?
Meta-Analysis (n=592)
randomized controlled trials
Do physical exercise interventions improve endothelial function, quality of life, and physical performance in adults with cardiovascular disease?
Standardized Mean Difference: 1.04 (95% CI 0.38–1.7)
p-value: p=0.005
Physical exercise interventions in patients with cardiovascular disease elicit moderate, significant improvements in endothelial function and aerobic capacity.
Supports exercise to improve endothelial function in CVD patients; confirms moderate baFMD benefits while leaving QoL effects unresolved.
Purpose: The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine the effect of physical exercise interventions on endothelial function, Quality of life (QoL), and various markers of cardiovascular health and in patients with cardiovascular disease. A meta-regression analysis was performed to elucidate the moderating effects of intervention and the participants’ endothelial function characteristics. Methods: Relevant databases were searched from the beginning until February, 2025. Primary outcomes were endothelial function measured by brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (baFMD) and QoL using appropriate questionnaires. Results: Physical exercise interventions exhibited a moderate effect on baFMD (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.04, 95% CI 0.38 – 1.70, p = 0.005) and peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) (SMD = 0.76, 95% CI 0.3 – 1.22, p = 0.004), whereas a small effect was observed for the 6-minute walking test (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI 0.10 – 0.53, p = 0.019). Finally, a large but non-significant effect was observed on QoL (SMD = 1.24, 95% CI 0.25 – 2.74, p = 0.088). Meta-regression results revealed baFMD was moderated by the participants’ initial body mass index value (β = -0.233, p = 0.026). Conclusions: QoL seems to mirror endothelial function and V̇O2peak improvements in cardiovascular patients following physical exercise interventions.
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Iskra et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in Cardiovascular disease (n=592). Physical exercise interventions vs. Non-intervention control was evaluated on Endothelial function measured by brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (baFMD) (SMD 1.04, 95% CI 0.38-1.70, p=0.005). Physical exercise interventions moderately improved endothelial function (SMD 1.04) in patients with cardiovascular disease, while the effect on quality of life was not statistically significant.
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