Abstract

GUIMARAES, Guilherme Veiga et al. Physical rehabilitation in heart transplantation. Rev Bras Med Esporte [online]. 2004, vol.10, n.5, pp. 408-411. ISSN 1517-8692.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1517-86922004000500008.

After the cardiac transplant the patients improve life quality. However, they frequently have clinical problems in the post operative period, as physical deconditioning, muscular atrophy and weakness and smaller aerobic maximal capacity, current in part due to the inactivity in the pre operative period and to factors as the difference in donor/receptor body surface, denervation of the heart, among others. The regular physical activity has an important role in heart transplanted patients follow-up and should be recommended as soon as possible, may be in pre-discharge phase, going on after discharge, which could help patients to have a satisfactory lifestyle, next of what they had before the disease, returning to active and productive life.

Keywords : Heart transplantation; Rehabilitation; Physical activity; Exercise.