A Study to Evaluate Breathing Muscle Training in Cardiac Rehab

Combined Cardiac Rehabilitation and Inspiratory Muscle Training in Heart Failure

The purpose of this study is to understand if breathing muscle training combined with cardiac rehabilitation influences the blood flow and blood pressure response during exercise.

Inclusion Criteria - Heart Failure Group:

• Adult 18 years and older.
• English speaking.
• Has a qualifying heart failure indication for center-based cardiac rehabilitation.

Inclusion Criteria - Healthy Control Group:

• Adult 18 years and older.
• English speaking.
• Absence of pulmonary, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurologic, or orthopedic diseases. Controls will be matched for age and sex.

Exclusion Criteria:

• HF patients who are unable to engage in a regularly structured exercise training program as part of a clinically indicated center-based outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program.
• Participants unable/unwilling to provide informed consent.
• Uremia, history of allergy to iodides. Impaired renal function.
• Creatinine value greater than 1.3 mg/dL (via clinical record within the past 6 months).
• Diagnosis of liver disease.