Exercise, Sports, and Cardiac Rehabilitation Recommendations in Patients with Aortic Aneurysms and Post-Aortic Repair: A Review of the Literature

Introduction: Balancing the well-documented benefits of regular exercise, particularly its positive impact on cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, with the potential risks for patients with aortic aneurysms presents a significant challenge. This narrative review aims to summarize the curre...

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Main Authors: Michael Stiefel, Hadassa Brito da Silva, Christian Marc Schmied, David Niederseer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/11/12/379
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author Michael Stiefel
Hadassa Brito da Silva
Christian Marc Schmied
David Niederseer
author_facet Michael Stiefel
Hadassa Brito da Silva
Christian Marc Schmied
David Niederseer
author_sort Michael Stiefel
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Balancing the well-documented benefits of regular exercise, particularly its positive impact on cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, with the potential risks for patients with aortic aneurysms presents a significant challenge. This narrative review aims to summarize the current evidence and guidelines to assist clinicians in making informed exercise and sports recommendations for patients with aortic aneurysms or post-aortic repair. Methods: Nine clinical trials on the effect of exercise on abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) were identified, including one study on cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in AAA patients. As no clinical trials on exercise in thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) were found, we extrapolated data from other studies on exercise in aortic diseases, including data from patients who have had an aortic dissection, as well as three studies on cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and one study on CPET after proximal aortic repair. Review articles and guidelines were also incorporated to ensure a comprehensive overview of the topic. Results: Currently, no clear correlation exists between intense sports activities and the development of aortic aneurysms or dissections. Conclusions: Light to moderate physical activity appears safe and beneficial for patients with aortic aneurysms and post-aortic repair. Given the lack of evidence linking athletic activity to aortic complications, caution is warranted in restricting such activities for athletes, underscoring the importance of shared decision-making. Regular follow-up and optimal management of cardiovascular risk factors are essential.
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spelling doaj-art-2bbdfb6e8fdd4fafa1aa4943b7fb55462025-08-20T02:55:53ZengMDPI AGJournal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease2308-34252024-11-01111237910.3390/jcdd11120379Exercise, Sports, and Cardiac Rehabilitation Recommendations in Patients with Aortic Aneurysms and Post-Aortic Repair: A Review of the LiteratureMichael Stiefel0Hadassa Brito da Silva1Christian Marc Schmied2David Niederseer3Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, SwitzerlandHochgebirgsklinik Davos, Medicine Campus Davos, 7265 Davos, SwitzerlandDepartment of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, SwitzerlandHochgebirgsklinik Davos, Medicine Campus Davos, 7265 Davos, SwitzerlandIntroduction: Balancing the well-documented benefits of regular exercise, particularly its positive impact on cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, with the potential risks for patients with aortic aneurysms presents a significant challenge. This narrative review aims to summarize the current evidence and guidelines to assist clinicians in making informed exercise and sports recommendations for patients with aortic aneurysms or post-aortic repair. Methods: Nine clinical trials on the effect of exercise on abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) were identified, including one study on cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in AAA patients. As no clinical trials on exercise in thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) were found, we extrapolated data from other studies on exercise in aortic diseases, including data from patients who have had an aortic dissection, as well as three studies on cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and one study on CPET after proximal aortic repair. Review articles and guidelines were also incorporated to ensure a comprehensive overview of the topic. Results: Currently, no clear correlation exists between intense sports activities and the development of aortic aneurysms or dissections. Conclusions: Light to moderate physical activity appears safe and beneficial for patients with aortic aneurysms and post-aortic repair. Given the lack of evidence linking athletic activity to aortic complications, caution is warranted in restricting such activities for athletes, underscoring the importance of shared decision-making. Regular follow-up and optimal management of cardiovascular risk factors are essential.https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/11/12/379aortic aneurysmexercisecardiac rehabilitationthoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)aortic dissection
spellingShingle Michael Stiefel
Hadassa Brito da Silva
Christian Marc Schmied
David Niederseer
Exercise, Sports, and Cardiac Rehabilitation Recommendations in Patients with Aortic Aneurysms and Post-Aortic Repair: A Review of the Literature
Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease
aortic aneurysm
exercise
cardiac rehabilitation
thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)
abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
aortic dissection
title Exercise, Sports, and Cardiac Rehabilitation Recommendations in Patients with Aortic Aneurysms and Post-Aortic Repair: A Review of the Literature
title_full Exercise, Sports, and Cardiac Rehabilitation Recommendations in Patients with Aortic Aneurysms and Post-Aortic Repair: A Review of the Literature
title_fullStr Exercise, Sports, and Cardiac Rehabilitation Recommendations in Patients with Aortic Aneurysms and Post-Aortic Repair: A Review of the Literature
title_full_unstemmed Exercise, Sports, and Cardiac Rehabilitation Recommendations in Patients with Aortic Aneurysms and Post-Aortic Repair: A Review of the Literature
title_short Exercise, Sports, and Cardiac Rehabilitation Recommendations in Patients with Aortic Aneurysms and Post-Aortic Repair: A Review of the Literature
title_sort exercise sports and cardiac rehabilitation recommendations in patients with aortic aneurysms and post aortic repair a review of the literature
topic aortic aneurysm
exercise
cardiac rehabilitation
thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)
abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
aortic dissection
url https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/11/12/379
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