Asymmetry in activity of cardiovascular system: its origin and role in the maintenance of human resilience and adaptation to stressors

Abstract

The present review examines the origin and physiological background of the asymmetry of some of oscillating processes in the cardiovascuiar system including the asymmefry of fluctuations of heart rhythm, level of blood pressure, and baroreflex sensitivity. The possible role of this asymmetry and its arousal-related transposition in mechanisms supporting health resilience against adversity and stressors is discussed in terms of integrative physiology and the chaos theory and contrasted to mechanisms of adaptation to adversity and stressors. It also discusses the possibility of neuroplastic restructuring of processes maintaining asymmetry and balance between the body’s resilience and its adaptive properties for applications of such restructuring in sports training and epigenetic control for maturating, aging, or involution process of systems and organs of the body.