Exercise stimulates the heart’s nerves in a left-right pattern, research has found
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Regular exercise may do more than strengthen the heart — it may also reprogram the nerves that control how the heart beats, new research has found.
The discovery may help doctors better treat common conditions such as irregular heart rhythms, chest pain, angina and the stress-related disease “broken heart”, according to scientists at the University of Bristol in the UK.
The study, which looked at lab rats trained for 10 weeks, found that moderate exercise did not affect the cardiovascular system equally. Instead, it produces distinct and contradictory changes in the left and right sides of the body – which different researchers say have been overlooked until now.
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“The discovery points to a long-hidden left-right pattern in the body’s ‘autopilot’ system that helps keep the heart racing,” Dr. Augusto Coppi, lead author of the study and senior lecturer in animal science at the University of Bristol, said in a statement.
Regular exercise may “rewire” the nerves that control the heart, new research has found. (Stock)
“This could help explain why some treatments work better on one side than the other, and, in the future, help doctors understand treatments more accurately and effectively,” added Coppi.
After 10 weeks of aerobic exercise, researchers tested the animals’ heart control nerves and found left-right differences that weren’t seen in inactive rats, according to a study published in the journal Autonomic Neuroscience in September.
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On the right side, the nerve hub that sends “go fast” signals to the heart produces more nerve cells, suggesting increased wiring. However, on the left side, the number of nerve cells did not increase significantly. Instead, the existing cells grow significantly, indicating a different type of adaptation.
The findings may help explain why some heart treatments work better on one side than the other. (Stock)
The findings show that exercise stimulates the heart’s neuromuscular system in a side-specific manner, rather than affecting both sides equally, the researchers said. Understanding that process can help doctors better understand treatment, especially for patients who can’t exercise or whose symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes.
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The researchers compared clusters of nerves, known as stellate ganglia, to a “dimmer switch” that fine-tunes how strongly the heart is stimulated. That fine tuning is important because overstimulation of these nerves is linked to chest pain and dangerous heart rhythm problems.
Scientists warn more research is needed to determine whether similar effects occur in humans. (Stock)
The findings are still in the early stages and are based on animal studies, however, so they do not prove the same results that occur in humans. More studies are needed before they can affect patient care.
The researchers say that future research will examine whether similar left and right nerve changes occur in humans and whether they could help explain why some heart treatments work better on one side than the other, potentially paving the way for more precise, personalized care for angina and heart rhythm disorders.
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The study was carried out in collaboration with researchers from University College London, University of São Paulo and Federal University of São Paulo in Brazil.
The researchers found distinct changes in the left side of the nerves that control the heart after 10 weeks of aerobic exercise. (Stock)
The findings add to growing evidence that regular, moderate exercise benefits the heart in ways that scientists are beginning to better understand.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the study’s authors for comment.
