Cardiac Rehabilitation for Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: Physical and Psychosocial Considerations

摘要

Owing to significant medical advances, it is now estimated that more than 90% of persons born with congenital heart disease (CHD) will reach adulthood. Medically appropriate physical activity represents an opportunity to improve physical functioning as well as quality of life and psychosocial outcomes. By reviewing published CHD research and clinical recommendations, herein we first summarize how adults with CHD are known to be less physically active and have reduced exercise capacity compared with healthy peers. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is important for routine clinical management and before the onset of an exercise program. Physiological anomalies are common in adults with CHD, although very few necessitate activity restrictions, and positive results from exercise training have been demonstrated. In recent decades, the focus has thus shifted from restriction of exercise to promotion of exercise. Adults with CHD also face unique psychosocial challenges associated with living with a chronic cardiac condition, many of which may influence exercise behaviours. However.