Myocardial Ischemia... the heart muscle does not function properly under conditions of reduced blood flow, and in severe cases of myocardial ischemia, heart arrest occurs.

Reduced blood suply to a portion of the myocardium results in ischemia. This results in metabolic changes in the region including myocardial infarction ie injury or death of cells. The most common cause is a sudden loss in blood supply due to narrowing of the arteries in coronary heart disease.

Myocardial metabolic activity is characteristic of increasing coronary blood flow; increased O2 demands must be met by an increase in blood flow. The O2 requirements of the heart are greater when the heart has to pump arterial blood against a higher resistance in the systemic circulation, then when heart rate and contractility are increased alone. Exercise increases the O2 requirements of the heart as systemic vascular resistance increases. In addition sympathetic nerve stimulation of the heart has a constrictive effect on the coronary blood vessels. Body'Fit pH Fitness first oxygenates the heart by venous return, increases coronary blood flow by dilating the blood vessels with adenosin released in the abdomen at the start of the series of exercises, and opens up the systemic circulation reducing vascular resistance. It does in fact have the opposite physiological effect of most exercise in this regard; and is therefore particularly useful when performed before and after other physical training. 

Body'Fit pH Fitness is especially important under conditions of severe exercise. In situation where the systemic circulation compensatory mechanisms fail and can no longer reduce arterial pressure, myocardial ischemia can be the result. Intracellular acidosis occurs and sodium (Na+) accumulates in the cells. The high H+ concentration activates NA+/H+ exchange and H+ is extruded in exchange for Na+. The ischemia inhibits NA+/Ca++ exchange so that as Na+ leaves the cells, Ca++ enters. The result is Ca++ overload, impairing myocardial contraction and can lead to death. Body'Fit pH Fitness nips this process in the bud by keeping H+ concentrations normal in the first place.