Heart failure is responsible for more than 40,000 deaths annually in the United States, according to Dr. Osama Gusbi at the Albany Medical Center. Aerobic exercise and strength training can play a role in rehabilitation for heart disease patients, including those with chronic heart failure. Walking, riding a stationary bike and using light weights for strength training are common methods of exercise for heart failure and heart disease patients.
Considerations
Before starting any exercise activities, obtain medical clearance from your doctor to make sure exercise is safe for you. The American College of Sports Medicine reports that aerobic exercise and strength training activities are safe for most people, even if you have heart disease, but it recommends following your doctor's instructions. Because your heart condition is specific to you, an assessment and a supervised exercise test are recommended before you begin a formal exercise program.
Aerobic Exercise
A 2006 study published in the European Journal of Heart Failure found that regular aerobic exercise is safe and beneficial for patients with chronic heart failure. Types of aerobic exercise recommended for heart failure patients include walking, riding a stationary bike or using an elliptical machine, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. The duration and intensity of your workout will depend on your symptoms, fitness and physical limitations, but working your way up to 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise at least four days each week is recommended.
Resistance Training
Resistance training exercises, in addition to aerobic exercise, should be recommended as part of chronic heart failure rehabilitation, reports a 2005 study published in the Sports Medicine journal. This study found that patients with stable chronic heart failure were able to see improvements in exercise tolerance, metabolism and muscular strength after a period of resistance training. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends using light dumbbells or resistance bands for strength training exercises and focusing on slow, controlled movements and maintaining a regular breathing pattern. Resistance training should be done according to your doctor or exercise specialist's instructions and should exercise your major muscle groups at least two times each week.
References
- Albany Medical Center: Topic Review - Heart Failure
- "ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription"; Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., ed.; 2010
- European Journal of Heart Failure: The effect of physical training in chronic heart failure
- National Institutes of Health: PubMed: Resistance exercise training in patients with heart failure
