Reabilitação cardiovascular em paciente com hipertensão pulmonar: um estudo de caso

Abstract

According to the World-wide Organization of Health (WOH), cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world. Strategies aimed at improving cardiovascular health must be incorporated and encouraged for the population in general, and physical exercise has a prominent role. Regardless of the etiology, pulmonary hypertension is characterized by limited exercise capacity and progressive increase in dyspnea. Rehabilitation plays an important role in the management of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and current guidelines recommend the implementation of a monitored individualized exercise training program as adjunctive therapy for patients with PAH. Thus, the present case study aims to analyze and describe the exercise program that was proposed on an individualized basis for a patient with PAH. Anthropometric data, maximal and submaximal exercise test results, hemodynamic data from aerobic and resistance training, energy expenditure and the Minnesota Quality of Life Questionnaire at the beginning and end of the 9-week rehabilitation program were compared. The results showed improved hemodynamic responses in maximal and submaximal exercise tests post-rehabilitation and increased exercise tolerance according to perceived exertion on the Borg scale. There were no significant changes in anthropometric data. We conclude that the cardiovascular rehabilitation program and the exercise prescription model in this case are adequate for the patient with PAH, respecting the principle of individuality.