Past, present, and future rehabilitation practice patterns for patients with heart failure: the European perspective

Heart Fail Clin. 2015 Jan;11(1):105-15. doi: 10.1016/j.hfc.2014.08.007.

Abstract

The recent European Society of Cardiology position paper strongly advises participation of patients with stable heart failure (HF) in structured exercise training (ET) programs, and in most recent years considerable efforts have been put into standardization of exercise prescription. Up to now, 3 ET modalities are proposed for HF populations with variable combinations and extent of effects: (1) endurance aerobic (continuous and interval); (2) strength/resistance; (3) respiratory. Irrespective of ET modalities, most of the studies have clearly demonstrated significant improvements in exercise physiology (ie, oxygen consumption, muscle function, and ventilation), quality of life, and left ventricular function.

Keywords: Cardiopulmonary testing; Exercise performance; Exercise training; Peak Vo(2); Ventilation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Exercise Therapy / standards*
  • Exercise Therapy / trends*
  • Exercise Tolerance / physiology*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Heart Failure* / epidemiology
  • Heart Failure* / physiopathology
  • Heart Failure* / rehabilitation
  • Humans
  • Morbidity / trends