Two-thirds of patients with heart failure have cognitive problems, according to research by the University of Rome.
Heart failure patients who walked further in a six-minute test, which shows better fitness, as well as those who were younger and more highly educated, were significantly less likely to have cognitive impairment. The results suggest that fitter patients have healthier brain function.
Study author Professor Ercole Vellone said: “The message for patients with heart failure is to exercise. We don’t have direct evidence yet that physical activity improves cognition in heart failure patients, but we know it improves their quality and length of life. In addition, studies in older adults have shown that exercise is associated with improved cognition – we hope to show the same for heart failure patients in future studies.”
The cognitive abilities that are particularly damaged in heart failure patients are memory, processing speed (time it takes to understand and react to information), and executive functions (paying attention, planning, setting goals, making decisions, starting tasks).
The study highlights that cognitive dysfunction is a common problem in patients with heart failure – 67 per cent had at least mild impairment.
The study used data from the HF-Wii study, which enrolled 605 patients with heart failure from six countries. The average age was 67 and 71 per cent were male. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment test was used to measure cognitive function and exercise capacity was measured with the six-minute walk test.
Professor Vellone said: “There is a misconception that patients with heart failure should not exercise. That is clearly not the case. Find an activity you enjoy that you can do regularly. It could be walking, swimming, or any number of activities. There is good evidence that it will improve your health and your memory, and make you feel better.”