Abstract
Purpose: Endurance training improves vascular endothelial dysfunction and exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, CHF patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) often avoid endurance training for fear of ICD shock. Recent studies have shown that stretching exercises enhance antioxidant activity and improve vascular responses. We aimed to assess the effects of four weeks of stretching exercises on oxidative stress and vascular endothelial function in CHF patients with an ICD or CRT-D.
Methods: Thirty-two sedentary CHF patients (men, 83%; mean age, 69 ± 9 years; left ventricular ejection fraction, 30 ± 9%) with an ICD or CRT-D were randomly divided into a group that performed four-week stretching exercises (stretching group), and a group that continued a sedentary lifestyle (control group). We compared the reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry index (RHI) and 6 minute walk distance (6MWD), and sit-and –reach test (SR), between the two groups before and after the four-week study period.
Results: In the stretching group, a significant increase in the RHI, 6MWD, and SR were observed after the study period compared to before (p<0.01, p<0.05, and p<0.01). No significant changes were observed in the control group.
Conclusion: Four weeks of stretching exercises may increase exercise capacity through improve of vascular endothelial dysfunction in sedentary CHF patients with an ICD or CRT-D.
