Exercise training in elderly patients with chronic heart failure

Background Physical training currently constitutes an important part of tre atment of heart failure patients. So far, no data are available on the effe cts of regular exercise in elderly (aged > 65 years) heart failure patients . Methods In a prospective trial, patients with chronic heart failure (New Yo rk Heart Association class II and III) were randomly assigned to a training group and a control group. Patients in the training group performed additi onal exercises three times a week, while patients in the control group cont inued regular treatment, To analyse the influence of age, both groups were subdivided into subjects younger than and older than 65 years. The effect o f training on exercise parameters was evaluated by means of a treadmill tes t. Quality of life aspects were evaluated with the help of the Heart Patien ts Psychological Questionnaire and a single-question Self Awareness of Gene ral Well-Being test. Results Comparison of changes between groups revealed that training increas ed the duration of the exercise test and improved aspects of quality of lif e in the trained patients aged both younger than and older than 65 years. Conclusion Exercise training is equally effective in patients aged younger than and older than 65 years. Coronary Artery Dis 9:765-770 (C) 1998 Lippin cott Williams & Wilkins.