an investigation of the effects of aerobic exercise on serum brain natriuretic peptide and c-reactive protein in women with cardiovascular diseases

Introduction: the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise on brain natriuretic peptide (bnp) and c-reactive protein (crp) levels in women with cardiovascular diseases.materials and methods: in this semi experimental study, thirty female patients with at least one coronary artery stenosis (more than70%) were chosen and divided into two groups of aerobic training (n=15) and control (n=15). blood samples were obtained at the beginning and end of the study to measure brain natriuretic peptide (bnp) and c-reactive protein (crp) levels. the aerobic group cycled on a stationary ergometer for three sessions per week (period of eight weeks). the control group did not receive any exercise. each exercise session included a10-minute warm-up, a 15-minute or more aerobic training program and a 5-minute cool-down. in the warm-up and cool-down stages, running, walking and stretching activities were used. during the first week of training, subjects exercised for 15 minutes at 55-60% of their target heart rates. each week, exercise duration extended by five minutes, while the intensity was unchanged.results: results indicated that 8 weeks of aerobic training had a significant effect on decreasing the bnp and crp levels in females with cardiovascular diseases (p=0.005 and p=0.017 , respectively). moreover, a significant difference was seen between the control and experimental groups in mean bnp and crp values (p=0.0001 and p=0.001 respectively), while no significant difference were seen between the pre and post tests in the control group for bnp (p=0.21) and crp (p= 0.28). there were significant reduction in bnp (p < 0. 05) and crp levels (p < 0.01) after 8 weeks aerobic exercise in experimental group, but no change was seen in the control group in both bnp and crp levels.conclusion: aerobic exercise can attenuate bnp and crp levels in females with cardiovascular diseases; hence it can be used as a part of treatment.