Can structured exercise training improve my heart function in HFmrEF after a stent?
If you have heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and have recently had a stent placed (PCI), you may wonder whether exercise training can help your heart recover. A 2026 randomized controlled trial directly studied this question and found that a structured, year-long exercise program added to standard medications led to greater improvements in heart function and cholesterol levels compared to medications alone 26.
What the research says
In a 2026 study, 120 stable patients with HFmrEF (LVEF 40-49%) who had undergone PCI were randomly assigned to either guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) alone or GDMT plus a 52-week structured exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (ExCR) program 26. After one year, the exercise group showed a significantly greater increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) — about a 5% improvement compared to a 4% improvement in the control group 26. The exercise group also had a larger reduction in LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) 26. These benefits were seen in addition to the effects of standard medications, suggesting that structured exercise training can enhance cardiac recovery and lipid control in this specific population 26. Other research in HFmrEF has focused on medications like finerenone and SGLT2 inhibitors 1 or pacing devices 3, but the direct evidence for exercise after PCI comes from this recent trial. Broader reviews of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction also recommend structured exercise and rehabilitation as part of management 5.
What to ask your doctor
- Is a structured cardiac rehabilitation program available at our hospital or nearby?
- Given my LVEF and recent stent, what type and intensity of exercise would be safest for me?
- How can I combine exercise with my current medications for the best heart recovery?
- Should I have follow-up tests (like echocardiograms or blood work) to monitor my progress with exercise?
- Are there any signs or symptoms during exercise that should prompt me to stop and seek help?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about this topic and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.