Heart Failure & Exercise
It’s essential for patients with heart failure to exercise, but it can be difficult to determine what type is the most effective and safe for you. Before you start any kind of exercise program, talk to your healthcare provider. We’ve broken down a few types of exercise to help start the conversation.
Types of Exercise for Heart Failure Patients
Cardiovascular: This seems obvious: you need to work out your heart! It also improves the way your body uses oxygen, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and burns lots of calories. Examples of cardio include:
- Jogging
- Cycling
- Speed walking
- Rowing
Strength training: Usually involving weights or resistance bands, strength training focuses on repetitive muscle movement. The results are stronger muscles and better posture. Examples of strength training include:
- Push-ups
- Sit-ups
- Squats
- Bench presses
Flexibility: With regular flexibility exercises, your muscles will lengthen and you’ll become more flexible. Use this type of movement exercise to improve your balance and range of motion. Example of flexibility exercise include:
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Tai chi
- Shoulder rolls
In addition to physical benefits, exercise improves your mental health. It can reduce anxiety, depression and stress and help you sleep better. Many patients feel more confident as they take control of their health and see heart failure symptoms decrease with regular exercise.
Heart Failure Exercise Tips
It’s always best to start slowly and work up to more intense exercise, rather than pushing yourself too much at first. Don’t forget to warm up and cool down before and after your exercise session. During exercise, it’s normal to feel short of breath and have a faster heartbeat, but if these symptoms become severe, stop what you’re doing. Take a rest, and call your healthcare provider if they continue. Pain is another story: if you feel pain at all, stop exercising and talk to your healthcare provider. Heart attack symptoms include pain or pressure in your chest, neck, arm or shoulder; if you experience these call 911.
It can help you to stay on track if you schedule and set aside time for exercise each day. Some patients find that working with a fitness trainer is beneficial, while others like going to the gym or a class with a friend to stay motivated. Remember that part of making healthy lifestyle choices involves your food choices, too. Work with your healthcare provider to create a heart-healthy diet plan that's low in sodium.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you'd like more information on heart failure and exercise.
Visit HealthChoicesFirst.com for more videos and resources on heart health.
Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider
-
Cardiovascular exercise improves the way your body uses oxygen, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and burns lots of calories.
-
Usually involving weights or resistance bands, strength training focuses on repetitive muscle movement. The results are stronger muscles and better posture.
-
With regular flexibility exercises, your muscles will lengthen and you’ll become more flexible. Use this type of movement exercise to improve your balance and range of motion.
-
During exercise, it’s normal to feel short of breath and have a faster heartbeat, but if these symptoms become severe, stop what you’re doing. Take a rest, and call your healthcare provider if they continue.
-
It’s always best to start slowly and work up to more intense exercise, rather than pushing yourself too much at first. Don’t forget to warm up and cool down before and after your exercise session.
Cardiac Conditions
Cardiac Testing
Cardiac Treatments
Heart Failure & Exercise
Knowledge is Power.
True/False - Quiz: Do You Understand Heart Failure & Exercise?
Information - Heart Failure & Exercise
It’s essential for patients with heart failure to exercise, but it can be difficult to determine what type is the most effective and safe for you. Before you start any kind of exercise program, talk to your healthcare provider. We’ve broken down a few types of exercise to help start the conversation.
Types of Exercise for Heart Failure Patients
Cardiovascular: This seems obvious: you need to work out your heart! It also improves the way your body uses oxygen, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and burns lots of calories. Examples of cardio include:
- Jogging
- Cycling
- Speed walking
- Rowing
Strength training: Usually involving weights or resistance bands, strength training focuses on repetitive muscle movement. The results are stronger muscles and better posture. Examples of strength training include:
- Push-ups
- Sit-ups
- Squats
- Bench presses
Flexibility: With regular flexibility exercises, your muscles will lengthen and you’ll become more flexible. Use this type of movement exercise to improve your balance and range of motion. Example of flexibility exercise include:
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Tai chi
- Shoulder rolls
In addition to physical benefits, exercise improves your mental health. It can reduce anxiety, depression and stress and help you sleep better. Many patients feel more confident as they take control of their health and see heart failure symptoms decrease with regular exercise.
Heart Failure Exercise Tips
It’s always best to start slowly and work up to more intense exercise, rather than pushing yourself too much at first. Don’t forget to warm up and cool down before and after your exercise session. During exercise, it’s normal to feel short of breath and have a faster heartbeat, but if these symptoms become severe, stop what you’re doing. Take a rest, and call your healthcare provider if they continue. Pain is another story: if you feel pain at all, stop exercising and talk to your healthcare provider. Heart attack symptoms include pain or pressure in your chest, neck, arm or shoulder; if you experience these call 911.
It can help you to stay on track if you schedule and set aside time for exercise each day. Some patients find that working with a fitness trainer is beneficial, while others like going to the gym or a class with a friend to stay motivated. Remember that part of making healthy lifestyle choices involves your food choices, too. Work with your healthcare provider to create a heart-healthy diet plan that's low in sodium.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you'd like more information on heart failure and exercise.
Visit HealthChoicesFirst.com for more videos and resources on heart health.
Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider
-
Cardiovascular exercise improves the way your body uses oxygen, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and burns lots of calories.
-
Usually involving weights or resistance bands, strength training focuses on repetitive muscle movement. The results are stronger muscles and better posture.
-
With regular flexibility exercises, your muscles will lengthen and you’ll become more flexible. Use this type of movement exercise to improve your balance and range of motion.
-
During exercise, it’s normal to feel short of breath and have a faster heartbeat, but if these symptoms become severe, stop what you’re doing. Take a rest, and call your healthcare provider if they continue.
-
It’s always best to start slowly and work up to more intense exercise, rather than pushing yourself too much at first. Don’t forget to warm up and cool down before and after your exercise session.