A new review of 19 previously conducted studies reveals a shift in thinking when it comes to whether or not individuals suffering from heart failure should participate in physical activity.

Researchers at the Cochrane Library analyzed results from 19 randomized controlled trials that included 3,647 patients with heart failure. All of the studies included low-risk aerobic exercises – mostly walking and cycling. Five also included strength training. Exercise sessions varied from 15 to 120 minutes in length, with two to seven sessions a week, for 24 to 52 weeks.

"Clinical guidelines for caring for heart failure patients should give more weight to the role of exercise training as part of the ongoing management of these patients," said lead researcher Dr. Rod Taylor.

Researchers also found that exercise rehabilitation reduced the number of hospital admissions for heart failure. Hospitalizations are the single major driver of the healthcare costs associated with heart failure.

"If cardiac rehabilitation were a medication, it would be one of our best medications for treating heart disease," said the Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Randal Thomas. "Unfortunately, cardiac rehabilitation services are not generally covered for patients with heart failure. It would be great if this review helps to convince policymakers to include heart failure as a service that is covered by medical insurance policies."