Exercise & Sports Science Australia Position Statement on exercise training and chronic heart failure
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a complex syndrome characterised by progressive decline in left ventricular function, low exercise tolerance and raised mortality and morbidity. Regular exercise participation has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment modality in the majority of CHF patients, partially reversing some of the maladaptation’s evident in myocardial and skeletal muscle function, and resulting in improvements in physical fitness and quality of life, and perhaps reduced mortality.
The volume and intensity of exercise that is recommended depends on the syndrome severity, however in most patients it should consist of a combination of low-to-moderate intensity aerobic (endurance) exercise on most days of the week and individually prescribed low-to-moderate intensity resistance (strength) training at least twice per week. Additionally, all patients should be closely monitored prior to and during exercise for contraindications by an appropriately trained health professional.
Chronic heart failure is a progressive life-threatening syndrome characterised by declines in left ventricular function. While exercise training is not a cure for heart failure, appropriately prescribed exercise results in improvements in exercise tolerance due to improvements in musculoskeletal, respiratory, and autonomic function, with some evidence suggesting anti-remodelling benefits for the myocardium.
All of these help to improve both clinical and functional outlook and may reduce mortality and hospitalisations. Exercise should be seen as a vital strategy to reduce the progression of, or even partly reverse, the maladaptations that occur in this syndrome. Individually prescribed and carefully supervised exercise testing and prescription, undertaken by appropriately trained health professionals, can safely and effectively reduce the burden of disease and improve prognosis and quality of life in medically stable CHF patients.
