Exercise Capacity and Fatigue in Heart Failure Patients With and Without Inspiratory Muscle Weakness

A Comparison of Exercise Capacity, Respiratory Functions, and Quality of Life in Heart Failure Patients With and Without Inspiratory Muscle Weakness and Healthy Controls

In patients with heart failure, diaphragm dysfunction contributes to decreased quality of life while simultaneously increasing morbidity and mortality. Inspiratory muscle weakness is observed in 30-50% of patients, with the severity of weakness increasing as the disease progresses. Patients exhibit reduced exercise capacity, peripheral and respiratory muscle strength, decreased respiratory function, increased dyspnea, fatigue, and worsened quality of life. However, it is unclear how these parameters will change in patients with inspiratory muscle weakness. Therefore, the study aimed to compare functional exercise capacity, pulmonary function, peripheral muscle strength, dyspnea, fatigue, quality of life and physical activity level in heart failure patients with and without inspiratory muscle weakness and healthy controls

It is believed that respiratory muscle abnormalities develop earlier and more extensively than extremity muscle abnormalities in heart failure. Diaphragm dysfunction contributes to decreased quality of life while simultaneously increasing morbidity and mortality. Inspiratory muscle weakness is observed in 30-50% of patients, with the severity of weakness increasing as the disease progresses. Heart failure patients exhibit increased airway resistance and ventilatory response during exercise. Fatigue and dyspnea are common symptoms associated with exercise intolerance and decreased quality of life in heart failure patients.There is no study in the literature comparing functional exercise capacity, pulmonary function, peripheral muscle strength, dyspnea, fatigue, quality of life and physical activity level in heart failure patients with and without inspiratory muscle weakness (IMW). The aim of the study was to compare functional exercise capacity, pulmonary function, peripheral muscle strength, dyspnea, fatigue, quality of life and physical activity level in heart failure patients with and without IMW and healthy controls.

The study was planned as a cross-sectional, retrospective. Heart failure patient were divided into IMW group or not IMW group due to their MIP values. Also healthy controls who were matched for age-gender were included.

Inclusion Criteria:

• HF patients were being aged over18 years
• clinically stable at least four weeks
• having no change in medications over three months

The inclusion criteria for healthy controls were being aged over 18 without a chronic disease

Exclusion Criteria:

• having unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, uncontrolled hypertension, significant valvular disease, history of malignancy or orthopedic, rheumatologic, neurological, or pulmonary diseases

The exclusion criteria for the healthy controls were having any chronic or systemic disease, and having physical limitation