Short-term residential cardiac rehabilitation reduces B-type natriuretic peptide.

The inactive N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) serves as a marker of heart failure. We evaluated the effects of moderate exercise on NT-proBNP and other cardiovascular disease risk factors in 359 consecutive patients admitted for residential cardiovascular rehabilitation. Patients underwent cycle ergometry, blood sampling, and fasting glucose tests at the beginning and end of 25+/-4 days of the exercise program. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was estimated from the maximal watts achieved. The program consisted of cycling for 17+/-4 min, 6 times/week, and daily walking for 45 min at intensity of 60-70% of the individual maximal heart rate (HR). Patients underwent echocardiographic examination and were categorized according to left ventricular ejection fraction. NT-proBNP decreased to 29% (P = 0.001) for entire group after training. Maximal performance and VO2max improved significantly (P = 0.001). NT-proBNP was inversely related to pulse pressure at maximal exercise (-0.39), HR range (-0.35), and HR recovery in 1 min (-0.28). Four weeks of exercise reduced NT-proBNP, independent of left ventricular ejection fraction, and improved physical fitness and blood lipid profiles. NT-proBNP as a prognostic biomarker of heart failure patients was reduced and was inversely related to maximal performance and VO2max.