Strength training for patients with chronic heart failure

Abstract

Chronic (congestive) heart failure (CHF) is a disabling disease where patients suffer from dyspnoea and exercise intolerance. Peripheral skeletal muscle disorders play a major role in the pathogenesis of these symptoms and also in the progression of the disease. Besides cardiovascular endurance training, strength training should be an important component of cardiac rehabilitation programs in CHF because of its ability to efficiently improve muscle function and muscle mass. Safety of this type of training, while long-time questioned, has been established. Training recommendations for strength training should be based on current research. The positive training effects induced by strength training improve the patients' functional capacity and exercise tolerance and thereby also their quality of life and its widespread use should be promoted.