Medical knowledge, Patient Education

Heart Failure and Exercise

Posted on by CheapBook

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart does not fill or pump enough blood and oxygen to support your body and its functions. Heart failure is a long-term (chronic) condition. Living with heart failure can be challenging. However, following your health care provider’s instructions about a healthy lifestyle may help improve your symptoms. This includes choosing the right exercise plan.

Doing daily physical activity is important after a diagnosis of heart failure. You may have some activity restrictions, so talk to your health care provider before doing any exercises.

What are the benefits of exercise?

Exercise may:

  • Make your heart muscles stronger.

  • Lower your blood pressure and cholesterol.

  • Help you lose weight.

  • Help your bones stay strong.

  • Improve your blood circulation.

  • Help your body use oxygen better. This relieves symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath.

  • Help your mental health by lowering the risk of depression and other problems.

  • Improve your quality of life.

  • Decrease your chance of hospital admission for heart failure.

What is an exercise plan?

An exercise plan is a set of specific exercises and training activities. You will work with your health care provider to create the exercise plan that works for you. The plan may include:

  • Different types of exercises and how to do them.

  • Cardiac rehabilitation exercises. These are supervised programs that are designed to strengthen your heart.

What are strengthening exercises?

Strengthening exercises are a type of physical activity that involves using resistance to improve your muscle strength. Strengthening exercises usually have repetitive motions. These types of exercises can include:

  • Lifting weights.

  • Using weight machines.

  • Using resistance tubes and bands.

  • Using kettlebells.

  • Using your body weight, such as doing push-ups or squats.

What are balance exercises?

Balance exercises are another type of physical activity. They strengthen the muscles of the back, abdomen, and pelvis (core muscles) and improve your balance. They can also lower your risk of falling. These types of exercises can include:

  • Standing on one leg.

  • Walking backward, sideways, and in a straight line.

  • Standing up after sitting, without using your hands.

  • Shifting your weight from one leg to the other.

  • Lifting one leg in front of you.

  • Doing tai chi. This is a type of exercise that uses slow movements and deep breathing.

How can I increase my flexibility?

People doing a yoga pose in a yoga class.
Having better flexibility can keep you from falling. It can also lengthen your muscles, improve your range of motion, and help your joints. You can increase your flexibility by:

  • Doing tai chi.

  • Doing yoga.

  • Stretching.

How much aerobic exercise should I get?

A person riding a bicycle while wearing a safety helmet.

Aerobic exercise strengthens your breathing and circulation system and increases your body’s use of oxygen. This type of exercise causes your heart to beat faster while you are doing it. Examples of aerobic exercise include biking, walking, running, and swimming. Talk to your health care provider to find out how much aerobic exercise is safe for you.

To do this type of exercise:

  • Start exercising slowly, limiting the amount of time at first. You may need to start with 5 minutes of aerobic exercise every day.

  • Slowly add more minutes until you can safely do at least 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week.

Summary

  • Daily physical activity is important after a diagnosis of heart failure.

  • Exercise can make your heart muscles stronger. It also offers other benefits that will improve your health.

  • Exercise can decrease your chance of hospital admission for heart failure.

  • Talk to your health care provider before doing any exercises.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.

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