For many people with heart failure, shortness of breath and low energy during physical activity are hallmarks of their condition. In fact, these symptoms during exercise are often the first indicators of heart failure, and tend to be a primary reason that people seek medical care.
While exercise is good for the heart, many people with heart failure find it difficult to stick to a program. "When you are sick with heart failure, fatigue can be an overwhelming symptom, which makes exercise quite difficult," explains Amy Marzolf, MSN, CRNP, Heart Failure Clinical Practitioner at Penn Medicine. "The problem can then multiply because the less you do, the less you can do — and it becomes difficult to know if your disease is progressing or if you are becoming deconditioned."
Can heart failure improve with exercise?
It’s important to remember that exercise will not improve your ejection fraction (the percentage of blood your heart can push forward with each pump). However, it can help to improve the strength and efficiency of the rest of your body. It’s also been shown to boost quality of life for patients living with heart failure.
Trying to maintain some level of physical activity can be very helpful in the long run in both keeping the rest of your body as healthy as possible while also preventing weight gain.
Of course, exercise is easier said than done. Here are five tips to help you kick start your exercise program.
Know the benefits of exercise for heart failure
Over the past two decades, research has shown the positive impact of exercise training in patients with heart failure. Among the benefits are:
Start slowly and build up gradually
When starting or changing an exercise program, it's important to start slowly and to gradually increase the amount and intensity of the exercise. Everyone has a different starting point, and that’s just fine. Some people start with walking around the room a few times a day. The key is to very slowly increase your activity. Don't expect to go from 0 to being a marathon runner. Set realistic and reachable expectations. "We often tell patients that if you add two steps every day, that is progress. Slow and steady is exactly who wins when it comes to heart failure and exercise," says Amy.
Pick something you enjoy
If you're already walking regularly, try picking up a new activity like cycling or swimming. This can keep you interested, and motivated to continue. You'll feel better by doing something different, too!
Get a heart expert's opinion
Before starting any new exercise regimen, or if you want to increase the intensity of your current program, talk to your doctor first. As with any major change, there are risks that should only be assessed by an expert familiar with your circumstances. The doctor may be also able to point you in the direction of a good cardiac rehabilitation program and give you pointers about exercises to try and which to avoid. The good news is that cardiac rehabilitation is now covered by health insurance plans for many patients who suffer from heart failure.
Don't overdo it
It's important to manage the risks involved with any exercise program. A key component of managing risks is preventing overexertion. A good measure of intensity is that you should be able to talk while you are exercising. You should also pause or stop exercising completely if you experience breathing difficulties, lightheadedness, chest pain, nausea or vomiting. If the symptoms continue several hours after the exercise, contact your doctor or nurse.