[Exercise training in cardiovascular diseases].
BACKGROUND
Physical activity and exercise training are effective in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of cardiovascular disease, but the dose-response relationship is insufficiently documented.


METHODS
The manuscript is based on existing guidelines and searches in Pubmed for the period 1990-2006.


CONCLUSIONS
Exercise training improves maximum oxygen consumption and prognosis in patients with cardiovascular disease. A single weekly bout of exercise reduces mortality from stroke and ischemic heart disease, but larger doses may provide additional protection. In patients with coronary heart disease, high intensity exercise seems to be more effective in improving maximal oxygen consumption than moderate exercise, but it is not known if such exercise is also more effective in improving survival. Further studies are also required to establish the safety of such exercise. Exercise has few contraindications, but patients should be screened in advance with an exercise-ECG. Future studies should to a larger extent include female, elderly and high-risk patients, and be precise in prescribing and reporting exercise intensity, duration and frequency. Maximum oxygen consumption is an accurate measure of cardiovascular fitness and a strong and independent prognostic marker for survival, both in patients and healthy subjects.
Amundsen
Brage H
BH
Institutt for sirkulasjon og bildediagnostikk, Norges teknisk naturvitenskapelige universitet, 7489 Trondheim. brage.h.amundsen@ntnu.no
Wisløff
Ulrik
U
Slørdahl
Stig A
SA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation