Patients with systolic heart failure wont face an increased risk of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks if they engage in "aggressive" exercise training, according to research presented at this years American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions. In a study of more than 1,000 heart failure patients (average age 61) with ICDs, those in a 12-week, thrice-weekly exercise program, followed by a home regimen of five workouts per week, did not experience more shocks overall than similar patients who were not in an exercise program. However, researchers did note that patients with a history of spontaneous or exercise-induced arrhythmias faced a higher risk of more ICD shocks if they are in an aggressive training program.
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