Heart Failure: Activity and Exercise

When you have heart failure, it's very important to exercise regularly. If you are not already active, your doctor may want you to start an exercise program.

Of course, what's safe for you depends on how bad your heart failure is. But even if you can only do a small amount of exercise, it's better than not doing any exercise at all.

Key points

• Have a checkup before you start an exercise program. Your doctor probably will do an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) and maybe an exercise stress test to see how much activity your heart can safely handle.
• Your doctor may recommend a cardiac rehabilitation ("rehab") program at a local hospital or clinic. For more information, see the topic Cardiac Rehabilitation.
• Start out slowly, exercising for only a few minutes at a comfortable rate. Then each day, slowly try to increase the length of time and the intensity of your workout.
• You should not exercise during times when your heart failure is not under control.
• Set goals that you can reach. If you expect too much, you are likely to get discouraged and stop exercising.

 What do you need to know about exercise and heart failure?

 Why do you need a regular exercise program?

 How can you get started on an exercise program?

 Where to go from here

Return to topic: