How to Evaluate and Adjust the Recommended Level of Physical Activity in Patients with Congenital Heart Diseases? A...

The prolongation of the lifespan of patients with congenital heart diseases (CHD) has caused them to experience symptoms and complications not only related to the defect itself or late complications of surgical treatment but also to be at risk of population diseases such as obesity or ischemic heart disease. As recently as two decades ago, fewer than one in five CHD patients received formal advice on physical activity. Once a patient has been thoroughly evaluated and the risk has been stratified, the clinician can develop a detailed and individualized exercise prescription. This prescription is a formal plan that specifies the recommended frequency, intensity, duration, and type of physical activity. The goal is to maximize the health benefits of exercise while minimizing any potential risks. Although the anatomical classification of the defect and the previously implemented method of treatment allow the estimation of the possible late complications to a certain extent, in reality, the clinical condition may vary significantly in individual cases. For this reason, we prepared a practical approach regarding physical activity in patients with CHD based on hemodynamic and electrophysiological parameters, instead of focusing solely on specific defects. We also paid attention to special CHD patient populations in which separate indications regarding physical activity must be implemented.