Diagnosis – Exercise Testing

People with heart failure (HF) have symptoms of dyspnoea and fatigue that result in a decreased quality of life. The assessment of exercise capacity can provide information regarding diagnosis and prognosis, while doubling as a potential future therapy.

Clinically, there is acceptance that exercise is safe in HF and can have a positive impact on morbidity and quality of life, although evidence for improvement in mortality is still lacking. Specific prescriptions for exercise training have not been developed because many variables and confounding factors have prevented research trials from demonstrating an ideal regimen. Physicians are becoming more aware of the indices and goals for HF patients in exercise testing and therapy to provide comprehensive cardiac care. It is further postulated that a combination of exercise training and pharmacologic therapy may eventually provide the most benefits to those suffering from HF.