Exercise training programmes improve survival and delay hospital admission in people with chronic heart failure

Abstract

Question

Do exercise training programmes improve survival in people with chronic heart failure?

Study design

Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Main results

Fewer deaths occurred in the exercise group compared with control at a median follow-up of about 2 years (exercise: 22% [88/395]; control 26% [105/406]; hazard ratio 0.65, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.92). Fewer deaths or hospital admissions occurred in the exercise group compared with control (exercise: 32% [127/395]; control 43% [173/406]; hazard ratio HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.93).

Authors’ conclusions

Exercise training improves survival and time to death or admission to hospital in people with chronic heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction.