This systematic review of the literature addresses the issue of physical exercise in patients with decompensated heart failure, defining the benefits it has on functional capacity, quality of life, cognitive function and readmission and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to "identify the benefits of physical exercise in patients with decompensated heart failure and to characterize the benefits of physical exercise in patients with decompensated heart failure". It was concluded that targeted exercise using endurance and resistance training based on repetitions improves functional capacity, cardiac and cognitive function and increases quality of life. Mortality and readmission rates also decreased, with a consequent decrease in costs for these patients.