MELBOURNE, April 10 (UPI) -- A study by Australian cardiologists has found resistance training helps people with chronic heart failure.
Professor David Hare, senior cardiologist at Melbourne's Austin Hospital where the study took place, said the results challenged the belief that people suffering chronic heart failure should take it easy.
Patients who lifted weights and did other resistance training recorded stronger muscles, increased blood flow and improved endurance. Patients who did no exercise became weaker.
Hare told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. the study also found an improved mental outlook in heart patients who exercised regularly.
"They have a better quality of life, they have a less depressed mood and are able to undertake normal activities much more easily so, overall, this is good news," he said.
