In a study conducted by scientists from the University of Bristol, it was found that aerobic exercise significantly affects the network of nerves that control the heart's function. These results open up prospects for creating more precise methods for treating cardiovascular diseases.
The autonomic nervous system, which regulates heart rhythm, acts as an "intensive regulator" for heart contractions. Research has shown that physical activity alters this regulator, causing an asymmetric effect on the left and right sides of the heart, which is a new area of study for scientists. This asymmetry may explain why some therapeutic approaches are more effective on one side of the body.
Experiments with rats that engaged in physical activity for 10 weeks demonstrated that the number of neurons in the right cluster of cardiovascular nerves increased fourfold compared to inactive animals. At the same time, the neurons on the right side became smaller in size, while on the left side their size nearly doubled. Modern stereology methods were used to obtain these data, allowing for the visualization of nerve structures in three-dimensional format.
These research findings could play a key role in the treatment of conditions such as arrhythmias, angina, and "broken heart" syndrome caused by stress. They open new possibilities for more targeted interventions on nerve nodes, for example, in cases of blockages or denervation, which could enhance treatment effectiveness on the desired side.
The next stage of the researchers' work will be to analyze the impact of changes in nerve structure on heart functions both at rest and during physical exertion, as well as to search for similar mechanisms in other animal species and in humans using non-invasive methods.
