Exercising good judgement: what is the evidence for exercise training in tetralogy of Fallot?

  It is widely recognised that regular exercise can have a salutary effect on cardiovascular health. Additionally, consistent physical activity can be beneficial for mental health, can ameliorate a variety of chronic diseases and can translate into improved self-esteem.1 However, individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD) may be reluctant to accept an exercise prescription if thought to have uncertain clinical benefit or if perceived to be potentially unsafe for their hearts. Practitioners themselves may be unclear as to how to prescribe or interpret adequacy of exercise results in their CHD patients. As a whole, patients with complex CHD can be expected to have decreased exercise capacity as compared with the normal population. The CHD population is also at elevated risk of sudden death, malignant arrhythmia and heart failure. There are common anatomical and functional drivers that contribute to decreased exercise capacity and associated risk of adverse outcomes;...
Source: Heart - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Editorials Source Type: research