Relevance of water gymnastics in rehabilitation programs in patients with chronic heart failure or coronary artery disease with normal left ventricular function.

Background: Exercise training is included in cardiac rehabilitation programs to enhance physical capacity and cardiovascular function. Among the existing rehabilitation programs, exercises in water are increasingly prescribed. However, it has been questioned whether exercises in water are safe and relevant in patients with stable chronic heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease (CAD) with normal systolic left ventricular function.

Training-induced increase in nitric oxide metabolites in chronic heart failure and coronary artery disease: an extra benefit of water-based exercises?

Background: Rehabilitation programs involving immersed exercises are more and more frequently used, with severe cardiac patients as well.

Design: This study investigated whether a rehabilitation program including water-based exercises has additional effects on the cardiovascular system compared with a traditional land-based training in heart disease patients.

Methods: Twenty-four male stable chronic heart failure patients and 24 male coronary artery disease patients with preserved left ventricular function participated in the study.