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Review
. 2015 Oct 23:12:6.
doi: 10.1186/s11556-015-0151-x. eCollection 2015.

Possible neurocognitive benefits of exercise in persons with heart failure

Rachel Galioto  1 , Andrew F Fedor  1 , John Gunstad  1
Affiliations
Review

Possible neurocognitive benefits of exercise in persons with heart failure

Rachel Galioto et al. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act. .

Abstract

More than 6 million Americans have heart failure (HF) and more than 500,000 are diagnosed each year. In addition to its many adverse medical consequences, HF is also a significant risk factor for neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease and associated with cognitive impairment long prior to the onset of these conditions. Converging bodies of literature suggest cognitive dysfunction in HF may be at least partially modifiable. One key mechanism for cognitive improvement is improved cerebral blood flow, which may be possible with exercise in patients with HF. This brief review provides a model for the likely neurocognitive benefits of exercise in HF and encourages further work in this area.

Keywords: Exercise; Heart failure; Memory.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Physical Activity for the Improvement of Cognitive function in Heart Failure Solid lines represent pathways leading to poorer health and cognitive outcomes. Broken lines indicate pathways for improved outcomes
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