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Cardiac rehabilitation can be effective in all stable patients

2011; Via Medica; Volume: 18; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.5603/cj.2011.0023

1897-5593

Ewa Piotrowicz,

Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control

Exercise training and regular daily physical activities are essential for improving a cardiac patient’s physical fitness. Research data demonstrates that participation in exercise training improves exercise capacity, peripheral hemodynamics, endothelial and autonomic functions, quality of life, behavioral characteristics (depression, anxiety, somatization and hostility) and leads to modification of cardiovascular risk factors [1–5]. Supervised exercise training for three to six months generally is reported to increase a patient’s peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) by 11% to 36%, with the greatest improvement in the most deconditioned individuals [2, 5]. In this issue of Cardiology Journal, Abdou et al. [6] demonstrated that the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program conducted at personalized ventilatory threshold significantly improves the aerobic physical capacities of all cardiac patients, and induces similar benefits whatever the age, gender or cardiac pathology. According to the new ESC and AHA, ACC guidelines, exercise training is strongly recommended for all stable cardiac patients [1–4, 7]. However a universal agreement on exercise prescription in cardiac patients does not exist; thus an individualized approach is recommended, with careful clinical evaluation, including behavioral characteristics, personal goals and preferences.