Short-term Inactivity Impairs Vascular Function

A clinical study led by UCSF Vascular Surgeon Marlene Grenon, M.D., C.M. looked at the effects of physical inactivity on vascular endothelial function and arterial stiffness, two measures that relate to cardiovascular risk. The results showed that a short term exposure to physical inactivity leads to quantifiable impairment in endothelial function, artery wall stiffness and diastolic blood pressure.

The group hypothesized that this may be associated with a vascular deconditioning state. These findings have the potential for widespread relevance: in hospitalized and post-operative patients, whose physical activity is limited and their vascular healing may be compromised as a result, and among the general population because physical activity levels are consistently declining. A paper detailing the findings was presented in February at the annual Academic Surgical Congress and and published in the "Journal of Surgical Research".