Heart Rate Recovery in the First Minute at the Six-Minute Walk Test in Patients with Heart Failure

Abstract

Background

Heart rate recovery at one minute of rest (HRR ₁) is a predictor of mortality in heart failure (HF), but its prognosis has not been assessed at six-minute walk test (6MWT) in these patients.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the HRR ₁ at 6MWT in patients with HF and its correlation with six-minute walk distance (6MWD).

Methods

Cross-sectional, controlled protocol with 161 individuals, 126 patients with stable systolic HF, allocated into 2 groups (G1 and G2) receiving or not β-blocker and 35 volunteers in control group (G3) had HRR ₁ recorded at the 6MWT.

Results

HRR ₁ and 6MWD were significantly different in the 3 groups. Mean values of HRR ₁ and 6MWD were: HRR ₁ = 12 ± 14 beat/min G1; 18 ± 16 beat/min G2 and 21 ± 13 beat/min G3; 6MWD = 423 ± 102 m G1; 396 ± 101m G2 and 484 ± 96 m G3 (p < 0.05). Results showed a correlation between HRR ₁ and 6MWD in G1(r = 0.3; p = 0.04) and in G3(r = 0.4; p= 0.03), but not in G2 (r= 0.12; p= 0.48).

Conclusion

HRR ₁ response was attenuated in patients using βB and showed correlation with 6MWD, reflecting better exercise tolerance. HRR ₁ after 6MWT seems to represent an alternative when treadmill tests could not be tolerated.