Heart Failure

Exercise and Heart Failure

Exercise helps to condition your heart muscle and gives you more energy to perform activities throughout the day. It is important to exercise as prescribed by your physician. Here's a few tips to get you started:

Be sure to check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program.
Notify your doctor or nurse of dizziness, difficulty breathing, heart palpitations or extreme fatigue that occur with exercise.
Do not exercise immediately after a heavy meal.
Avoid extreme temperatures.
Do not exercise if you are already excessively fatigued or feeling poorly.

Best Types of Exercise

Aerobic exercise is the best type of exercise for you. This includes:
Walking (even walking around the block or yard counts as exercise)
Biking
Swimming
Dancing

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac Rehabilitation is a safe and effective way to exercise. An individualized exercise program is based on the results of an exercise test and is modified to fit your needs. Cardiac rehabilitation programs must be ordered by your doctor and are not always covered by health insurance.

Sexual Activity

Sexual activity is certainly a form of exercise. Despite your illness, you may continue to enjoy sexual activity with a few extra considerations.

Try to be well rested.
Set aside a block of time.
Be sure that the room temperature is comfortable.
Avoid heavy meals and alcohol.
Abstain if you are otherwise not feeling well.
Discuss any anxieties that you may have with your partner.
Be aware that some medications and heart failure in general may affect your sexual desire and performance. If this is the case, you should speak to your doctor.

Exercise Tips

Do…

Wear comfortable clothes (loose clothing) and soft sole shoes with laces or sneakers.
Start slowly. Gradually build up to 30 minutes of activity, three or four times per week (or whatever your doctor recommends).
If you are unable to exercise for 30 minutes straight, try two 15-minute sessions to meet your goal.
Exercise at the same time of day so it becomes a regular part of your lifestyle. For example, you might walk every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 12:30 p.m. However, don't skip your exercise if you can't make the scheduled time.
Exercise with a friend.

Don't ...

Don't get discouraged if you have to stop due to decompensation of your heart failure. Gradually start again and work up to your old pace.
Don't do exercises that require holding your breath, bearing down or sudden bursts of energy.
Don't engage in any activity that causes chest pain, severe shortness or breath, dizziness or light-headedness. If these happen, stop what you are doing right away.
Don't exercise right after meals or in extreme temperatures.

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Last Reviewed: Feb 11, 2009

Ileana L Piña, MD
Professor, VA Quality Scholar
Louis Stokes VA Medical Center
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University