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Long-term versus intermediate-term supervised exercise training in advanced heart failure: effects on exercise
Alexander Tenenbaum1, Dov Freimark, Ella Ahron
1Cardiac Rehabilitation Institute, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
International Journal of Cardiology
|May 19, 2006
Summary
Long-term supervised exercise training significantly improves survival and exercise tolerance in severe chronic heart failure patients. Continuing exercise programs offers greater benefits than intermediate-term programs for these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Severe chronic heart failure (CHF) patients on optimal medical therapy often have limited exercise capacity.
- The impact of long-term versus shorter-term supervised exercise training (ET) in this population remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of long-term versus intermediate-term supervised exercise training on exercise tolerance and mortality in severe CHF patients.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of prolonged exercise interventions in cardiac rehabilitation.
Main Methods:
- Forty-two severe CHF patients (NYHA class III) were divided into intermediate-term (discontinued after 1.6 years) and long-term (3 years) supervised ET groups.
- Exercise duration, 6-minute walked distance, and metabolic equivalents (METs) were measured before, during, and after the ET programs.
Main Results:
- The long-term ET group showed significantly better survival rates compared to the intermediate-term group (0 vs. 4 deaths, p=0.01).
- Patients in the long-term group demonstrated significant improvements in exercise duration, 6-minute walked distance, and METs at follow-up (p<0.01).
- While comparable initially, the intermediate-term group had a higher prevalence of diabetes.
Conclusions:
- Long-term supervised exercise training is associated with higher survival rates in severe CHF patients.
- Sustained exercise programs are safe and effectively enhance exercise capacity in individuals with advanced chronic heart failure.