Heart rate autonomic responses during deep breathing and walking in hospitalised patients with chronic heart failure

Objective. To evaluate the acute effect of physiotherapy (deep breathing exercises and walking) on heart rate variability in patients hospitalised with chronic heart failure (CHF). Design. aEuro integral Ten males with CHF (57 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS7 years) and 10 healthy controls (59 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS9 years) were included. Heart rate and RR intervals were recorded in the following conditions: supine, seated, during deep breathing exercises and during and after walking. Heart rate variability was analysed by linear and non-linear methods (alpha alpha 2, Mean HR, rMSSD, SDNN and ApEn). Results. aEuro integral Patients presented significantly lower SDNN (12.4 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS4 versus 26 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS8 ms), rMSSD (18.2 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS16.2 versus 25 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS19.5 ms) and ApEn (9.9 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS10 versus 16.68 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS22.6) during the walking compared to controls (p aEuroS < aEuroS0.05). In addition, mean HR was significantly higher during and after walking for patients with CHF compared to controls (103 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS8 versus 80 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS2 bpm and 90 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS9 versus 68 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS2 bpm, respectively). Patients with CHF demonstrated a significant reduction of alpha alpha 2 during deep breathing (0.78 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS0.1) when compared to the seated position (1.08 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS0.1) and walking (1.15 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS0.2, p aEuroS < aEuroS0.05). Additionally, rMSSD index increased during deep breathing when compared to walking in both groups. Conclusion. aEuro integral Deep breathing exercises and walking are safe and promote beneficial effects on heart rate variability in patients hospitalised for CHF.