Changes in exercise capacity and modifiable risk factors after a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation in patients with and without left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Abstract

Background: Although the positive effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) for patients with heart failure have been known, only a small proportion of such patients have been referred for comprehensive CR. The aim of this study is to compare the extent to which a CR program improved the exercise capacity and modifiable risk factors of patients with and without impaired systolic function.