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If your doctor suggests exercise, regular physical activity may help make you feel better. It can help you:
- Have more energy and sleep better.
- Build your strength, so daily tasks won’t be so tiring.
- Feel more upbeat and confident.
- Cope with stress.
- Lose weight.
What type of exercise is best?
Your doctor will help you create an exercise plan based on how severe your condition is, and how you do on tests that check your heart’s strength and how well it’s working.
He or she can tell you how much exercise to get and which activities to avoid. Find exercise that you like to do. Whether it’s walking, biking, or water aerobics, you’ll be more likely to do it if you enjoy it.
Unless your doctor says otherwise, avoid the following exercises:
- Heavy weight-lifting
- Isometrics (pushing against a wall, for example)
- Calisthenics (exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups)
How much?
Start off slowly, and increase the time and activity level little by little. Exercising three to five times a week for 20 to 30 minutes is often suggested for heart failure patients. Your doctor may want you to adjust that amount based on your condition.
Make sure that you warm up for 10 to 15 minutes before you start to exercise. Also, cool down afterwards—slow down the intensity gradually, rather than stop abruptly.
If you’re very tired after exercise, you may need to rest a day before exercising again. Your doctor can teach you how to check your pulse and watch for other signs that you’re working too hard.
Skip exercise any day that:
- You’re not feeling well.
- You’ve had a weight gain of more than two pounds. (Be sure to call your doctor.)
Stop exercising right away and call your doctor if you feel:
- Pressure or pain in your chest, neck, arm, jaw, or shoulder
- Dizzy, light-headed, or nauseous
- More short of breath or tired than usual
- Your heartbeat is too fast or too slow, or is skipping a beat
- Any other symptoms that worry you
Cardiac rehab programs
If you’re not used to exercise or are concerned about it, your doctor may suggest that you take part in a cardiac rehabilitation (or rehab) program.
In cardiac rehab, you exercise slowly in a supervised setting like a hospital. You’ll exercise on a treadmill, stationery bicycle, or indoor track. You’ll be closely monitored by healthcare professionals, who will look for any changes in symptoms or discomfort. Over time, you will most likely be able to exercise for longer periods. And, a structured program may help you stick with exercise long term.
Some cardiac rehab programs offer lifestyle classes on topics like eating well and managing stress.
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