Cardiovascular disease (CVD) ranks as a primary driver of morbidity and mortality globally, pushing the boundaries of health care management and intervention strategies. While pharmacological therapies are a cornerstone of cardiovascular disease management, exercise-based interventions have emerged as a critical component in improving patient outcomes, particularly in chronic heart conditions. Regular physical activity is proven to reduce mortality, improve cardiovascular fitness, enhance functional capacity, and improve quality of life in individuals with CVD.

However, despite the overwhelming evidence supporting the benefits of exercise, exercise management in cardiovascular disease remains an underutilized and challenging aspect of care. Various factors, including patient characteristics, clinical complexity, comorbidities, and lack of personalized exercise prescriptions, contribute to the gaps in effective implementation. Moreover, there are still significant challenges in ensuring long-term adherence to exercise programs, especially for patients with multiple health conditions or those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

This research topic aims to explore the challenges, implications, innovations, and potential pitfalls of exercise management in CVD. We invite contributions on novel strategies, research findings, and clinical practices that advance our understanding of how exercise can be effectively integrated into cardiovascular disease management and rehabilitation.

In summary, areas of interest include but are not limited to:

 Challenges in Exercise Prescription for Cardiovascular Disease: Identification of barriers to exercise prescription in clinical practice and strategies to address patient-related challenges (such as exercise intolerance, comorbidities, and psychosocial factors), alongside the role of healthcare professionals in promoting exercise and ensuring safety.

 Personalized Exercise Programs for Cardiovascular Patients: Development of individualized exercise prescriptions based on patient-specific factors (e.g., age, comorbidities, and functional capacity), and the role of genetic and physiological factors in tailoring exercise interventions to improve cardiovascular outcomes.

 Innovations in Exercise-Based Interventions: Exploration of new technologies (such as wearable devices, telemedicine, virtual rehabilitation platforms, and AI-driven exercise programs) and their role in monitoring patient adherence and outcomes, particularly in underserved or remote populations.

 Exercise Rehabilitation Programs: Implications and Best Practices: Review of current cardiac rehabilitation programs, the integration of exercise with pharmacological treatments for optimal outcomes, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in designing comprehensive rehabilitation plans.

 Adherence to Exercise Programs: Strategies for Long-Term Success: Examination of strategies to enhance patient adherence to exercise programs, including motivational interviewing, behavioral interventions, social support, and addressing the impact of socioeconomic and cultural factors on exercise participation.

 Psychosocial Factors and Exercise Adherence: The role of mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety) and stress on exercise, with interventions like CBT, mindfulness, yoga, and Tai Chi, as well as addressing kinesiophobia to improve exercise adherence in cardiovascular patients.

 Pitfalls and Risks of Exercise in Cardiovascular Disease: Understanding the potential risks (such as overexertion, arrhythmias, and injury) associated with exercise in cardiovascular disease patients and identifying clinical situations where exercise should be modified or monitored closely.

 Real-World Exercise Management in Cardiovascular Disease: Examining the practical challenges and opportunities of implementing exercise management in real-world settings, such as primary care and home-based programs, and addressing barriers faced by underserved populations in maintaining physical activity.

We call for original clinical research articles, controlled trials, observational studies, qualitative research, review articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses on the above-mentioned areas.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Exercise Management in Cardiovascular Health: Innovations and Challenges