Physical rehabilitation in heart transplantation

After heart transplantation patients improve their quality of life. However, they frequently have clinical problems in the post operative period, as physical deconditioning, muscular atrophy, weakness and lower maximal aerobic capacity, in part due to the inactivity in the preoperative period and to factors as the difference in donor/receptor body surface, heart denervation, among others. Regular physical activity plays an important role in heart transplanted patients follow-up and should be recommended as soon as possible, may be in predischarge phase, going on after discharge, which could help patients to have a satisfactory life-style, similar to what they had before the disease, returning to active and productive life.