Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are very common conditions that often occur together and result in worsening symptoms and reduced quality of life (QoL). Limitations being able to participate in activities of daily living is a primary complaint for AF-HFpEF patients, yet effective strategies to address this issue remain limited. While exercise interventions targeting aerobic training (AT) are recommended for patients with AF and HFpEF, unique challenges exist in this patient population who tend to be older. Specifically, many older patients with AF and HFpEF have muscle weakness, sarcopenia and frailty, that can make aerobic-focused exercise difficult and less tolerable. This study proposes that starting with progressive resistance training (PRT) before aerobic exercise may overcome these issues by improving muscle strength, making AT more manageable, and leading to better health outcomes. The goal of this study is to assess whether a sequential exercise program, named 'PREACTIVE' improves how people feel, decrease the amount of symptoms, and their ability to participate in exercise and activities.
This study will specifically test a sequenced exercise approach of resistance training followed by aerobic exercise to improve symptoms, and quality of life in AF-HFpEF.
Ejection fraction ≥ 50%
E/e' ≥15 by Doppler Echocardiography
High H2FpEF score (≥5)
Must be in stable medical condition and able to begin an exercise program
Valvular heart disease as the primary etiology of heart failure (i.e., severe aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation),
New York Heart Association Stage IV
Recent stroke (<1 year)
Evidence or History of Cardiac amyloidosis