Table 1 Study population: inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria:

Between 18 and 75-years-old

Acute myocardial infarction (according to the universal definition of myocardial infarction [16])

Both ST elevation and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction

One month since discharge

Left ventricular ejection fraction >30%

Able to exercise

Exclusion criteria

Moderate or severe valvular disease

Atrial fibrillation

Uncontrolled atrial or ventricular tachyarrhythmias

Exercise-induced myocardial ischemia

Pericardial disease

Moderate or severe chronic lung disease (vital capacity and/or forced expiratory volume in 1 second <80% of age-dependent predicted value)

Severe renal disease or dysfunction (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min, calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault formula)

Anaemia (hemoglobin <12 g/dL)