Physical activity in ACHD-Patients

Physical activity in ACHD-Patients. Advances in cardiac surgery have led to better survival in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). While this population is aging it is important to consider cardiovascular risk factors, which include a sedentary lifestyle. It is important to mention a low but appreciable risk for exercise-related complication such as sudden cardiac death (0.1% of ACHD per year, 8-10% of these during sports). However, due to a higher perceived risk of exercise-related complication during sports, ACHD often adopt a sedentary lifestyle. For adequate risk stratification an evaluation in 5 steps is recommended. This includes: 1(st)) history and physical examination, 2(nd)) assessment of 5 parameters at rest (ventricular structure and function, pulmonary artery pressure, dimensions of the aorta, arrhythmias, arterial oxygen saturation) and 3(rd)) assessment by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. In a 4(th) step a recommendation on the type of exercise (skill, power, mixed, endurance) will be made. Lastly, step 5 consists of regular fellow-up with repeat evaluation according to steps 1-4. J Kardiol 2023; 30 (3-4): 76-9.