Aim To evaluate the characteristics of cardiac structure and function in atherosclerotic adults during quietness and exercise in order to assess the risk and adverse consequences of cardiac changes during exercise. Methods 107 Beijing residents aged 40-59, including 21 males and 86 females, were selected. According to the criteria of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), the participants were divided into normal arterial stiffness group (n＝71) and arteriosclerosis group (n＝36). After resting echocardiography, all participants performed a horizontal exercise test that the initial load was 25 W, increasing 25 W every two minutes. Echocardiography and blood pressure data were obtained at 30 seconds before the end of each exercise and convalescence. Results (1)Compared with the normal arterial stiffness group, the arteriosclerosis group showed increasing interventricular septum thickness at end-diastole, left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole (LVPWd), left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass index, ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS) (P＜0.05) and decreasing peak flow velocity of early diastole/peak flow velocity of atrial contraction (E/A) (P＜0.05). (2)Left ventricular hypertrophy in the arteriosclerosis group was much higher than the normal arterial stiffness group (P＜0.05). (3)BaPWV was positively correlated with heart rate, EF, stroke volume and FS (P＜0.05). (4)During exercise, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, LVPWd and systolic blood pressure in atherosclerosis group were significantly higher than those in normal arterial stiffness group (P＜0.05). Conclusions Cardiac manifestations of atherosclerosis individuals include thickening of ventricular wall, increase of left ventricular mass, enhancement of systolic function, decrease of diastolic function, and remodeling of left ventricular geometry, and the change of systolic function is independent on the change of blood pressure. Compared with heart changes, arteriosclerotic people should prevent excessive blood pressure during exercise.