Low- versus high-volume high-intensity interval training for people with chronic heart failure

Effectiveness of Low -Versus High -Volume High -Intensity Interval Training in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

This trial will try two different amounts of high-intensity interval exercise to see which better improves fitness and quality of life in adults with chronic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 45 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Cairo University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Cairo, Giza Governorate)
• Trial ID: NCT07325942 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with stable chronic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (EF <40) will be enrolled and placed into one of three groups: low-volume HIIT, high-volume HIIT, or standard medical treatment. Participants in the exercise groups will follow supervised high-intensity interval training programs with different total training volumes while continuing usual medical care. Functional capacity and quality of life will be measured before and after the intervention to compare effects across groups. Safety monitoring will follow contemporary exercise contraindication guidance to exclude patients at high risk for adverse events.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (over 18) with stable chronic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (EF <40) who can provide informed consent are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with acute or unstable cardiac conditions, decompensated heart failure, recent myocardial infarction, other AHA-listed contraindications to exercise testing/training, or physical disabilities preventing safe exercise are unlikely to benefit and are excluded.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the comparison could identify a more time-efficient exercise approach that improves exercise capacity and quality of life for patients with reduced‑EF heart failure.

How similar studies have performed: Previous trials of high-intensity interval training in heart failure have shown improvements in exercise capacity and quality of life compared with usual care or moderate training, though direct comparisons of low- versus high-volume HIIT are relatively limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Chronic stable heart failure patient with reduced ejection fraction (EF \<40)
2. Age Above 18 years old
3. Both males and females
4. The ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Based on the Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association: contraindications for exercise Testing and Training. (Fletcher et al., 2013)

   1. Acute myocardial infarction (MI), within 2 days
   2. Ongoing unstable angina
   3. Uncontrolled cardiac tachy or brady arrhythmia with hemodynamic compromise
   4. Active endocarditis
   5. Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis
   6. Decompensated heart failure
   7. Acute pulmonary embolism, pulmonary infarction, or deep vein thrombosis
   8. Acute myocarditis or pericarditis
   9. Acute aortic dissection
   10. Physical disability that precludes safe and adequate testing or training
   11. Known obstructive left main coronary artery stenosis
   12. Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with severe resting gradient
   13. Recent stroke or transient ischemic attack
   14. Mental impairment with limited ability to cooperate
   15. Resting hypertension with systolic or diastolic blood pressures \>200/110 mmHg
   16. Uncorrected medical conditions, such as significant anemia, important electrolyte imbalance, and hyperthyroidism
2. Acute decompensated heart failure NYHA class IV

Where this trial is running

Cairo, Giza Governorate

• Cairo University — Cairo, Giza Governorate, Egypt (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Aya I Elshenawy

Conditions Chronic Heart Failure