Congestive Heart Failure Exercises

Congestive heart failure is a disease that approximately five million Americans suffer from, and about 550,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. There is no cure for this disease, and those who suffer from it need to take medications for the remainder of their lives.

Definition

• The American Heart Association defines congestive heart failure (CHF) as, ". . . a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to the body's other organs." Because their failing heart is not pumping enough blood to keep the rest of the body functioning as it should, those who suffer from congestive heart failure need to be careful about how they exert themselves, or they will quickly become overly tired and experience shortness of breath.

Talk with your Doctor

• If you have CHF, it is vital that you discuss any exercise plans with your doctor before trying them. Ask your doctor what kinds of exercises would be safe for you to do, how often you can do them and for how long. Ask your doctor if there is a local cardiac rehabilitation program where you can participate in a supervised exercise program.

Safe Exercises

• Your heart is a muscle and you need to exercise it to keep it healthy and strong. People with congestive heart failure need to be careful about over-exerting themselves, but as long as your doctor has approved your regimen, you can go ahead and get started. Remember the importance of progressing slowly and taking frequent breaks when you exercise. Be patient with small gains, but be consistent with your exercises and you will begin to see and feel results.

  Always do a warm-up before and a cool-down afterward that involves slow breathing and deep stretching.

  Yoga helps manage stress and increase strength, balance and flexibility, and the practice of yoga teaches students how to increase their body's ability to use oxygen more efficiently.

  Walking is a good exercise for CHF patients because you can start slowly, walking 5 to 10 minutes a day every other day, eventually increasing to 20 to 30 minutes per day every day.

  Cycling on a stationary bike or on a road is an effective way to build cardiovascular strength and endurance. CHF patients should take it slow, avoid riding in extreme heat and always ride with a partner.

  Swimming and water aerobics are gentle exercises that can help build up your stamina and strength. Be sure to inform your instructor of your heart condition before you begin, and take as many breaks as you need.

  Keep a log of your workouts. Write down which days you exercise, what exercises you do, how many minutes you exercise and how you felt before and after exercising.

Benefits of Exercise

• Exercising helps to reduce stress while increasing endurance, strength and stamina over time. Exercise also can help you sleep better, feel more vitality and feel more confident. For people with congestive heart failure, exercise also can diminish instances of shortness of breath.