Beneficial effects of regular aerobic exercise in a recovering patient include which of the following?

• A. Increased resting pulse rate, increased triglycerides, and increased cardiac output
• B. Decreased resting pulse rate, increased triglycerides, and increased cardiac output
• C. Increased stroke volume, decreased blood pressure, and decreased blood cholesterol
• D. Increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol, decreased body fat, and decreased stroke volume

Answer: (C)

Regular aerobic exercise leads to cardiovascular and lipid adaptations that improve efficiency and risk factors in recovery. The heart becomes stronger and more efficient at pumping, so the amount of blood ejected with each beat—stroke volume—increases. With a more efficient pump and improved venous return, resting heart rate tends to fall, and the overall cardiac output at rest can remain stable or decrease, but the key change highlighted here is the higher stroke volume. At the same time, the vessels become more compliant and systemic resistance drops, which lowers resting blood pressure. Aerobic training also improves lipid metabolism, typically reducing blood cholesterol levels overall, with favorable changes in HDL and LDL. So the combination of increased stroke volume, lower blood pressure, and improved cholesterol profile fits the expected benefits of regular aerobic activity in a recovering patient.