HEART FAILURE, DEPRESSION AND EXERCISE

Abstract

Introduction: Patients with heart failure have high rates of physical disability, based on self-reported difficulty in performing daily living activities. Depression is also a disease entity that has a high co-morbidity in combination with heart failure. Beyond the usual medical care of heart failure, there is a plethora of research on the contribution of exercise to cardiovascular parameters and to the muscular system of patients with heart failure, its effect on their quality of life and relief of depression symptoms.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to highlight the positive effect of exercise on patients with heart failure experiencing depression.

Methodology: The study material consisted of articles on the topic, found in Greek and international databases such as: Google Scholar, Mednet, Pubmed, Medline and the Hellenic Academic Libraries Association (HEAL-Link), using the appropriate keywords: heart failure, depression, exercise programs.

Results: Depression affects the clinical course and prognosis of patients with heart failure. The coexistence of depression and chronic heart failure leads to an increase in mortality. The benefits of exercise, therefore, in patients with heart failure and depression have a positive impact on the patients' quality of life by contributing to increasing their functional status, reducing their re-admissions to the hospital and relieving the symptoms of depression.

Conclusions: The high incidence of depression in patients with chronic heart failure requires measures to prevent it, such as exercise. Health professionals need to help patients understand their condition and follow therapeutic guidelines, as well as therapeutic exercise, which can improve their lifestyle and behavior, and help them prevent depression symptoms and promote their quality of life.