The Effects of Exercise on the Prevention and Treatment for Cardiovascular Disease: An Overview

Abstract

The many positive effects of exercise towards treating and preventing cardiovascular disease are well established. A review of the literature will yield a common theme of cardiovascular disease, what mechanisms cause the different types of cardiovascular disease, along with how prevalent cardiovascular disease is, and treatment options for it. An overview of the literature will also look at how exercise is used not only as a preventive measure but also as a current treatment and its usage in rehabilitation after a cardiovascular event has taken place. A focus will be on the three forms of cardiovascular diseases, which are hypertension, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure. Along with a review of the literature on how each different form of cardiovascular disease pertains in prevalence and response to physical activity as a possible therapeutic option in treatment.