Role of exercise training in pulmonary hypertension: a review article

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension is a cardiovascular disease with high mortality and morbidity affecting various aspects, including prognosis and quality of life. Limiting physical exercise in patients with pulmonary hypertension was initially suggested because it worsened the patient's clinical condition. Recently clinicians have begun to focus on the role of physical activity in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Despite limitations of literature that describe the role of physical exercise in pulmonary hypertension, this paper is expected to provide an overview and the extent of implementing physical exercise in health centers. In our review, the data collection for eligible articles was conducted from 1st January 2011 until 4th January 2021 using the PubMed database undertaken English language. The search algorithm used in this paper is "Exercise" OR "Physical Activity" AND "Pulmonary Hypertension." Manual search methods were also has been used to find the topic-related articles. According to our synthesis of physical exercise in patients with pulmonary hypertension, it is safe to apply under the supervision of cardiac rehabilitation experts. Initial assessment, exercise capacity adjustment, and monitoring during physical exercise are essential to avoid adverse events during exercise. Regular physical exercise over 12 weeks can increase exercise capacity, improve quality of life, improve prognostic and life expectancy. Otherwise, the application of physical exercise under ten weeks does not always show significant results, and the application for less than eight weeks shows unsatisfactory results. In conclusion, the use of physical exercise in pulmonary hypertension has not been optimally utilized in cardiac rehabilitation centers