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New research reveals that exercise can be beneficial for patients with heart failure. More specifically, they may be able to avoid the cognitive problems badociated with the disease.
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Patients with heart failure
It is estimated that about two-thirds of patients (67%) with heart failure have cognitive problems. Now, a new study shows that patients with better heart failure have healthier brain function, thus avoiding cognitive dysfunction.
"The message for heart failure patients is to exercise.We have not yet direct evidence that physical activity improves cognition in heart failure patients, but we know that this improves their quality and lifespan.In addition, studies have shown that exercise is badociated with improved cognition – we hope to show the same for heart failure patients in future studies, "said Professor Ercole Vellone, author of the study, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" in Italy.
Three cognitive abilities are particularly targeted and damaged in patients with heart failure. These are memory, processing speed and executive functions.
"These areas are important for memorizing information about health care and for a proper understanding and response 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."
Six-minute walk test
The study involved running patients with heart failure during a six-minute test. The results showed that those who had better fitness, as well as those who were younger and more educated, were significantly less likely to have a cognitive impairment.
The study was conducted using data from the HF-Wii study. It included 605 patients with heart failure from six countries aged 67 on average. The study also used the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test to measure cognitive function.
"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 regularly. Walking, swimming or many other activities will improve your health and your memory, and make you feel better, "said Professor Vellone.
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