Importance of Muscle Strength in Chronic Heart Failure

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a complex syndrome characterized by dyspnea, exercise intolerance, and quality-of-life impairment. The compensatory physiological mechanisms of this disease may promote muscle wasting and reduction in muscle strength, which are independent predictors of mortality. Therefore, the evaluation of muscle strength in patients with CHF is essential for the prognosis of the disease and the evaluation of interventions. Besides that, strategies to increase muscle strength should be performed to improve this outcome.