In the past people with heart failure were advised to rest and take life as easy as possible. We now know that some activity each day helps you stay healthier and feel better. Most people are able to gradually increase their activity level with regular walking or other exercise programs that have been approved by your doctor. You will need to monitor your symptoms.

• Heart Failure and Activity
• Why Be Active?
• Endurance, Strength, Flexibility

Heart Failure and Activity

A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to carry on a normal conversation without being short of breath in any activity you do. If you begin to feel like it is beginning to be difficult, stop. You should not feel exhausted after exercising.

Listen to your body!

If you are wiped out the next day, you did too much. It may help to divide your activity into several shorter periods. On good days, try to get outdoors or walk around some. Your doctor can help you figure out how much activity is advisable.
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Why Be Active?

Activity will help you do the following things:

• Daily activities without getting too tired
  
• Respond better to sudden stresses without making the heart overwork
  
• More things for yourself rather than having to rely on others

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Endurance, Strength, Flexibility

Focus on endurance, strength, and flexibility.

Endurance exercise helps the heart beat more efficiently to pump oxygen and nutrients to the body. Endurance activities include things that get you breathing a little harder, such as walking, swimming, dancing and biking.

Strength focuses on maintaining or building muscle. This may help prevent falls and helps you stay more independent.

Flexibility is achieved through stretching and will help you remain limber.

A good long-term goal is 30 minutes a day of activity on most days of the week. This can be broken up into several shorter segments.

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