EFFECTIVENESS OF CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAMS IN PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a complex and prevalent clinical condition associated with high morbidity and mortality, requiring effective management strategies. Cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRPs) have proven to be valuable interventions in improving the health and quality of life of these patients. This integrative review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CRPs in patients with HF, analyzing their impact on functional capacity, quality of life, hospitalizations, and mortality. The research was conducted through a systematic search in electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, using terms related to cardiac rehabilitation and heart failure. Studies that evaluated the effectiveness of CRPs in adult populations diagnosed with HF were included. The results showed that cardiac rehabilitation, through multidisciplinary interventions, results in significant improvements in functional capacity, reduced hospital readmission rates, and improved quality of life of patients. It is concluded that the systematic implementation of CRPs should be encouraged as an integral part of the management of heart failure, highlighting the need for individualized protocols and a multidisciplinary approach.