Reassessment of quality of life domains in patients with compensated Chagas heart failure after participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program

Introduction: We evaluated the effects of a cardiac rehabilitation program on quality of life. Methods: This secondary analysis of a single-arm study included 12 patients with Chagas heart failure. The cardiac rehabilitation program comprised exercise training and nutritional and pharmaceutical counseling. Quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. Results: The program promoted improved physical functioning (beta= +5.7; p=0.003), role-physical (beta= +1.9; p=0.03), and bodily pain (beta= +3.5; p=0.02) scores. Moreover, the summary physical health score (beta= +1.4; p=0.001) improved. Conclusion: The cardiac rehabilitation program significantly improved the physical quality of life of patients with Chagas heart failure.