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Ulrike Meyer-Lindemann: Can Physical Activity Protect against Stress-Induced Vascular Inflammation
Apr 25, 2026, 09:58

Ulrike Meyer-Lindemann: Can Physical Activity Protect against Stress-Induced Vascular Inflammation

Ulrike Meyer-Lindemann, Research Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn about a recent article published in JACC: Basic to Translational Science, co-authored by her and her colleagues, adding:

“Excited to share that our paper has been published today in JACC: Basic to Translational Science!

Mental stress is a major, but often overlooked, risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

In this study, we investigated whether physical activity can protect against stress-induced vascular inflammation.

Using mouse models, we found that regular physical activity blunts the systemic stress response and enhances resilience by dampening stress-induced endothelial activation and the influx of circulating inflammatory leukocytes, ultimately reducing vascular inflammation.

To test this in a real-world setting, we conducted a proof-of-concept study in humans using an emotionally intense soccer match as a stressor during UEFA EURO 2024.

Physically active individuals showed a markedly milder stress-induced immune response.

In short: exercise may help ‘shield’ the vasculature from the harmful effects of acute stress.

Grateful to have worked with an incredible team on this project, and especially thankful to my mentor Hendrik Sager.

Many thanks to Deutsche Herzstiftung e.V. for supporting my work.”

Title: Exercise Reverses Mental Stress–Induced Vascular Inflammation and Builds Stress Resilience

Authors: : Ulrike Meyer-Lindemann, Karina Borbil, Marius Schwab, Aldo Moggio, Rui Shen, M. Amin Sharifi, Tan An Dang, Viktoria Schories, Raphael Rottenkolber, Svenja Rapelius, Julia Hinterdobler, Carina Mauersberger, Moritz von Scheidt, Lars Maegdefessel, Henning Wackerhage, Karsten Köhler, Egija Berga-Švītiņa, Baiba Vilne, Michael Hristov, Christian Weber, Sabine Steffens, Cameron S. McAlpine, Heribert Schunkert, Thorsten Kessler, Hendrik B. Sager

Ulrike Meyer-Lindemann

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