Effect of an exercise programme for elderly patients with heart failure

Benefit from exercise training programmes for patients with chronic heart failure has been demonstrated in relatively young (mean age 60 years) and predominantly male subjects. This study was undertaken to assess the effect of an exercise programme for older subjects more representative of the general heart failure population.

Twenty-two patients with chronic heart failure of mean age 81+/-4 years were recruited into the study. Twenty-five percent were female and 31% were in chronic atrial fibrillation. A crossover study design was employed. The programme consisted of once weekly exercise sessions tailored to the abilities of elderly subjects and lasted for 12 weeks. Fifteen subjects completed the exercise component and nine the control component. The programme resulted in a 20% relative increase in 6-min walk test distance (ANCOVA: P<0.012). There was no improvement in quality of life as measured by the Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire, but the majority of subjects reported subjective improvement in wellbeing.

Elderly patients with chronic heart failure can benefit from an appropriately designed exercise programme and should not be excluded from future large scale trials.