Heart failure is a chronic condition in which your heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body. Participating in regular exercise activities--including both aerobic and strength training exercises--is one way to help relieve symptoms of heart disease, slow its progression and improve your quality of life, according to the American Heart Association. Always seek medical advice before beginning an exercise program if you suffer from heart failure.
Considerations
Your primary care doctor can help you develop an exercise program that is safe for your condition and meets your level of fitness. Depending on your specific condition, you may be able to participate in a medically-supervised cardiac rehabilitation program, or you may be able to safely exercise on your own. The Cleveland Clinic reminds you to always begin and end your exercise session with a warm-up and cool-down.
Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise can be safe for chronic heart failure patients and should be included in your treatment plan. The American College of Sports Medicine, or ACSM, says some common types of aerobic exercises done by heart disease patients include treadmill walking, stationary cycling or using an elliptical machine. It recommends gradually working your way up to 20 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise at least four days each week.
Strength Training
The ACSM says strength training, or anaerobic exercise, as part of your cardiac rehabilitation program can help you improve your self-confidence, maintain your independence and help you better perform activities of daily living. Depending on your doctor's recommendations, the ACSM suggests strength training exercises for your major muscle groups at least two times each week. Beginning with light weights or resistance bands and always using slow, controlled movements can help you safely and gradually strengthen your muscles.
Benefits
Participating in regular aerobic exercise can help strengthen your heart and help it pump more blood with each beat. Regular exercise can also help you control your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure, which are also risk factors that can influence your cardiovascular health. The American Heart Association reports that regular exercise also has been shown to increase quality of life in heart failure patients.
Warnings
If you experience dizziness, chest pain or abnormal shortness of breath, you should stop exercising and visit with your doctor. Although exercise is safe for most heart failure and cardiac patients, always use caution when exercising. Follow your doctor's instructions and never try to do too much exercise too soon. Gradually work your way up to your prescribed amount of exercise to avoid injuries or more serious cardiovascular complications.
References
- Medline Plus: Heart Failure
- American Heart Association: Lifestyle Changes for Heart Failure
- Cleveland Clinic: Heart Failure Exercise/Activity Guidelines
- "ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription"; Walter Thompson; 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Heart Failure--Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- American Heart Association: Circulation--Exercise and Heart Failure
