Exercise and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure
Fatemeh Bahramnezhad1*, Ahmad Ali Asadi Noughabi 2, Pouya Farokhnezhad Afshar3, Simin Marandi4
1 Department of Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2 School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3 Social Welfare and Rehabilitation University, Tehran, Iran.
4 Open Heart Surgery Ward, Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
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Abstract
Background: Guidelines recommend that exercise training can be considered for medically stable outpatients with heart failure; thus, this study sought to determine the effect of exercise on quality of life in patients with heart failure. Martials and Methods: In this cross sectional study 160 patients were included and divided into 2 groups (n=80). Intervention group performed the exercise (poly striding), 30 minutes three times a week, for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, the exercises have not been followed for six months; SF36 Questionnaire was filled to assess the quality of life for the individuals in both groups in three steps: before the intervention, and 3 and 6 months after. After completion of questionnaires, quality of life was compared between the two groups and all the data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean ages of the intervention and control groups were 61.65±17.5 and 64.116±17.4 years, respectively. Control group had significant decrease in quality of life at different stages of the study. Quality of life was significantly better in the intervention group comparing to the control group three months after the intervention despite the lack of significant difference before the intervention and after 6 months.Conclusion: Results showed a positive effect of exercise on quality of life in patients but the failures and lack of continuity did not improve the overall quality of life of patients as compared with their condition before the exercise. Overall, regular exercise is recommended for these patients..[GMJ. 2013;2(2):49-53]
Keywords: Exercise; Quality of life; Heart failure
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Introduction
Heart failure is a common, costly, disabling, and potentially deadly condition, and is the end result of many cardiovascular disorders [1]. In this disease failure in pumping the amount of blood necessary to perfuse the tissues of the body, leads to appearance of symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, cough and swelling in the legs [2]. 15 million new cases of heart failure are estimated each year. Heart failure is the most common cause of hospitalization in adults over 65 years old [3]. In 18 provinces of Iran (in 2001), 3337 per 100000 people were affected by this disease [4].
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