Effect of the Use of Protective Masks on the Ability to Perform Daily Activities in Patients with Heart Failure or Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Inclusion Criteria

• •Healthy subjects:
• •Age: 18-80 years
• •Not taking cardiovascular medications
• •No history of cardiovascular disease
• •Normal physical examination
• •Normal ECG
• •Age: 18-80 years
• •New York Heart Association Class (NYHA) II to III in stable clinical condition
• •Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \<40%
• •Ability to perform a maximal CPET
• •Patients with COPD:
• •Age: 18-80 years
• •Diagnosis of COPD stage GOLD II-III in stable clinical condition
• •Absent concomitant heart disease
• •Ability to perform a maximal CPET