266
Exercise is a potent stimulator that activates numerous downstream cascades atthe molecular and cellular levels. When exercise is sufficiently intensive and sus-
tained, it results in cardiac remodeling. This remodeling increases cardiac func-
tional capacity in both healthy and diseased individuals.
Aerobic exercise capacity is a prognostic marker of heart disease. Cliniciansshould promote the benefits of exercise for patients with all levels of cardiac fitness
including those who exercise casually, sedentary individuals and patients with
established cardiovascular disease.
Acknowledgment We would like to thank Dr. Anne Gravelle (University of Ottawa) for the care-
ful review and thoughtful editing of this manuscript.
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J. Kyselovič and J.J. Leddy