Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access

Abstract

Can Electrical Muscle Stimulation of the Legs Produce Cardiovascular Exercise?

Prithwish Banerjee

Physical exercise is beneficial in promoting health and preventing disease. In some disease states such as heart failure and COPD, exercise improves quality of life and exercise tolerance. Using an electrical stimulus to cause muscle contraction may mimic some of the effects of exercise. This article examines whether electrical muscle stimulation of large groups of muscles is able to produce cardiovascular effects.