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Review
. 2016 Apr-Jun;12(2):110-5.
doi: 10.14797/mdcj-12-2-110.

Exercise And Heart Failure: Advancing Knowledge And Improving Care

Paulino Alvarez  1 , Bashar Hannawi  1 , Ashrith Guha  1
Affiliations
Review

Exercise And Heart Failure: Advancing Knowledge And Improving Care

Paulino Alvarez et al. Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 2016 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Exercise limitation is the hallmark of heart failure, and an increasing degree of intolerance is associated with poor prognosis. Objective evaluation of functional class (e.g., cardiopulmonary exercise testing) is essential for adequate prognostication in patients with advanced heart failure and for implementing an appropriate exercise training program. A graded exercise program has been shown to be beneficial in patients with heart failure and has become an essential component of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation in these patients. An exercise program tailored to the patient's preferences, possibilities, and physiologic reserve has the greatest chance of being successful. Despite being safe, effective, and a guideline-recommended treatment to improve quality of life, exercise training remains grossly underutilized. Patient, physician, insurance and practice barriers need to be addressed to improve this quality gap.

Keywords: cardiopulmonary exercise testing; exercise; heart failure.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Mechanisms involved in exercise intolerance due to heart failure.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Approach to exercise training prescription. HFrEF: heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; HFpEF: heart failure with preserved ejection fraction; HF: heart failure; BB: beta blocker; ACEI: angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor; ACS: acute coronary syndrome; AS: aortic stenosis; HOCM: hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy; VO2: oxygen consumption; ET: exercise training; f/u: follow-up
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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