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Exercise therapy for elderly heart failure patients
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 8126, Bethesda, MD 20892-7936, USA. flegj@nhlbi.nih.gov
Clinics in Geriatric Medicine
|November 28, 2006
Summary
Exercise training is now a safe and effective therapy for heart failure (HF), improving functional capacity and quality of life. Older patients with HF may particularly benefit from this approach.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) is characterized by exercise intolerance.
- Historically, bed rest was recommended for HF patients.
- Recent evidence supports exercise as a viable therapeutic option.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on exercise training in heart failure.
- To emphasize the benefits of exercise for older adults with HF.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on exercise training in heart failure patients.
- Focus on studies involving elderly populations.
Main Results:
- Exercise training is safe for HF patients.
- Significant improvements observed in functional capacity.
- Enhancements in physiological variables and quality of life.
Conclusions:
- Exercise training is a beneficial intervention for heart failure management.
- Older individuals with HF stand to gain considerable advantages from exercise programs.
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