Pharmacological interventions to enhance exercise capacity in patients with heart failure

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by unbalanced oxygen demand and supply and impaired exercise capacity, which substantially affects the quality of life and prognosis of patients with HF. Cardiac rehabilitation is an effective intervention for improving exercise intolerance in patients with cardiovascular diseases, including HF. However, cardiac rehabilitation is not always accessible to these patients because a restricted number of hospitals offer cardiac rehabilitation, and access to these hospitals is limited to those who require rehabilitation. Although pharmacological interventions may help improve exercise capacity in patients with HF, evidence for this intervention is scarce. This mini-review summarizes the available research on the effects of pharmacological therapies on improving exercise capacity.

Keywords: Heart failure; Exercise capacity; Pharmacological therapy; Rehabilitation; Mini-review

Core Tip: Heart failure (HF) affects quality of life and prognosis in patients with HF. Although cardiac rehabilitation is an effective intervention to improve exercise intolerance in patients with HF. Cardiac rehabilitation is not always accessible because of restricted access for those who need rehabilitation. Evidence on pharmacological interventions to improve exercise capacity in patients with HF is scarce. This mini-review summarizes available evidence on the effects of pharmacological therapy for HF on improving exercise capacity.