The functional response and the anti-inflammatory effect of the physical exercise in the cardiac insufficiency

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome resulting from several structural and functional abnormalities of the heart. The main clinical manifestations of the HF are dyspnea and fatigue, which are responsible for the exercise intolerance, decreased functional capacity and quality of life in patients with HF. Structural, functional and metabolic changes in skeletal muscle, respiratory and nervous systems, together with inflammatory changes and oxidative stress are involved in the exercise intolerance. Regular physical training has been shown to be a potent therapeutic agent to aid in the treatment of HF. The benefits of the cardiac rehabilitation programs for patients with a clinical syndrome of HF are very well documented in the international scientific literature. Among them we can highlight the improvement of exercise capacity, oxygen consumption, daily living activities, quality of life, mortality, left ventricular function, pro-inflammatory state and oxidative stress.