Physical activity is important for patients with congenital heart disease.
The aim of this paper is to provide a consensus document for participation
in competitive or leisure sport activity in children and adults with
congenital heart disease.
Methods
The recommendations are based on expert consensus meetings, personal
experience of the contributing authors and an updated review of the
literature regarding exercise performance and risk stratification in
patients with congenital heart disease.
Results
Physical performance and exercise tolerance is close to normal in patients
with simple lesions with successful repair or no need for therapy. Most
patients with complex lesions have some degree of residual disease, making
them less suitable for participation in competitive sport.
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