Exercise can improve memory in patients with heart failure

According to a study presented today at EuroHeartCare 2019, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), two-thirds of heart failure patients have cognitive problems.

Patients with heart failure who were walking further in a six-minute test, who showed better fitness, and those who were younger and more educated, were significantly less likely to have cognitive impairment. The results suggest that healthier patients have healthier brain function.

The author of the study, Ercole Vellone, professor at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" (Italy), said: "The message for heart failure patients is to make the" We have no direct evidence yet that physical activity improves the cognition of heart failure patients, but we know that it improves their quality and lifespan. Older people have shown that exercise is badociated with improved cognition – we hope to show the same thing to patients with heart failure in subsequent studies. "

Particularly impaired cognitive abilities in heart failure patients are memory, processing speed (time needed to understand and react to information), and executive functions (be careful, plan, set goals, make decisions, start tasks).

"These areas are important for memorizing information about health care and understanding and correct reaction of the disease process," said Professor Vellone. "For example, patients with heart failure with mild cognitive impairment may forget to take medication and not understand that weight gain is an alarming situation that requires rapid intervention."

The study points out that cognitive dysfunction is a common problem in heart failure patients: 67% of them had at least mild impairment. "Clinicians may need to adapt their educational approach to patients with heart failure, for example by calling in a family caregiver to supervise compliance with the treatment prescribed by the patient," the report said. Professor Vellone.

The study used data from the HF-Wii study, which recruited 605 patients with heart failure from six countries. The average age was 67 years old and 71% were men. The Montreal cognitive badessment test was used to measure cognitive function and the exercise capacity was measured with the six-minute walk test.

Professor Vellone said: "There is a misconception that heart failure patients should not exercise, which is clearly not the case Find an activity that you like and that you can practice "It can be walking, swimming or many other activities." It's a good proof that it will improve your health and your memory and make you feel better. "

The HF-Wii study was led by Professors Tiny Jaarsma and Anna Stromberg of Linkoping University in Sweden.