[Heart patient and sports]

Patients with heart disease may benefit from scheduled exercising in different ways. Exercise tolerance is increased, risk factors are controlled, and even progression and regression of coronary artery disease can be influenced by training and diet. Psychological effects include lessened depression and reduced anxiety. Overall, regular physical activity is important for maintenance of health and may lead to a better quality of life. In order to minimize the risk of training, the patients should be provided with guidelines for exercising by the physician. Activities should include dynamic endurance exercises and properly selected calisthenics (without a need for high technical skills). Circuit weight training of moderate intensity is helpful for promoting muscle strength. Training has to be followed not less than 2 to 3 hours per week in at least three sessions at an intensity corresponding to 60 to 85% of the maximum heart rate achieved in a symptom-limited maximum exercise-test. Cardiac patients at high risk (decreased left ventricular function, persisting ischaemia, low exercise capacity, severe symptoms, older age) should exercise at lower intensities.