EM1507E "Staying Young at Heart: A New Look at the Lifelong Benefits of Exercise" (IM GR-071715)

Despite the marked successes cardiovascular medicine has achieved regarding coronary disease, the burden of heart failure in the community persists. Furthermore, the burden of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) now represents the majority of the heart failure in the community. This represents an important problem because currently there are no established therapies for this disorder. HFpEF is a complex, heterogeneous disorder characterized by signs and/or symptoms of heart failure, normal ejection fraction, and abnormal diastolic filling patterns. Because of the failure of HFpEF treatment strategies, our approach at UT Southwestern has centered on its prevention which requires a more comprehensive understanding of its natural history. In particular, our work has established the contribution of normal variation of exercise capacity in middle-age on the long-term risk for heart failure—particularly HFpEF. Our work has also shown that the risks related to low fitness are modifiable, however, the dose of exercise required to prevent heart failure appears higher than current physical activity recommendations. 

Protocol

Target Audience

UT Southwestern faculty, fellows, residents and medical students, community physicians, nurse clinicians, physician assistants and nurses.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the participant should be able to:

  • oUnderstand the rising prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), its diagnostic criteria, and its lack of established therapies. 

  • Understand the phenotypic and pathophysiologic heterogeneity in HFpEF that gives rise to its complex natural history. 

  • Understand the contribution of exercise capacity in healthy, middle-aged adults on the long-term risk for heart failure. This will be highlighted by a comprehensive review of the phenotypic similarities between low exercise capacity and HFpEF. 

  • Understand the unique role of exercise and its dose for the prevention of heart failure. 

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA
  • 1.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
07/23/2015
Course expires: 
08/22/2015
Cost:
$0.00

Photo: Jarett D. Berry, MD, MS, FAHAJarett D. Berry, MD, MS, FAHA
Associate Professor of Medicine and Clinical Sciences
Dedman Family Scholar in Clinical Care
Division of Cardiology

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA
  • 1.00 Attendance

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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