For the study, US researchers looked at rats with a blocked femoral artery and found that collateral blood flow was much more effective in restoring normal muscle function in rats that were put on regular exercise training.
The researchers propose that exercise could delay the onset of pain and increase mobility in people suffering from PAD.
Lead researcher Dr Ronald Terjung, from the University of Missouri, said: ‘Our findings raise the potential that new collateral vessels, that can develop in patients with PAD who are physically active, will function effectively to help minimise the consequences of the original vascular obstruction.’
sanjay.tanday@haymarket.com
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