Aerobic exercise prescription in patients with chronic heart failure: a review in the beta-blocker era

Abstract

Aerobic exercise training is a well-established nonpharmacological tool in patients with clinically stable chronic heart failure. In recent years, beta-blocker therapy has become a primary pharmacologic intervention in patients with chronic heart failure. Despite the undeniable improvements in patients, the beta-blocker era has aroused uncertainties about aerobic exercise intensity prescription. It is well known that aerobic exercise prescription is performed by a percentage of the patient's heart rate reserve and the use of beta-blockers could interfere in this method. For this reason, the aim of this review is to provide an update about aerobic exercise prescription in patients with chronic heart failure who are using beta-blockers.