General Workout Tips for People With Heart Failure

* Be sure any exercise is paced and balanced with rest.

* Avoid isometric exercises such as push-ups and sit-ups. Isometric exercises involve straining muscles against other muscles or an immovable object.

* Don't exercise outdoors when it is too cold, hot, or humid. High humidity may cause you to tire more quickly; extreme temperatures can interfere with circulation, make breathing difficult, and cause chest pain. Better choices are indoor activities such as mall walking.

* Make sure you stay hydrated. It is important to drink water even before you feel thirsty, especially on hot days. But, be careful not to drink too much water. Follow your doctor's guidelines about how much fluid you can have in a day.

* Extremely hot and cold showers or sauna baths should be avoided after exercise. These extreme temperatures increase the workload on the heart.

* Steer clear of exercise in hilly areas. If you must walk in steep areas, make sure you slowdown when going uphill to avoid working too hard. Monitor your heart rate closely.

* If your exercise program has been interrupted for a few days (for example, due to illness, vacation, or bad weather), make sure you ease back into the routine. Start with a reduced level of activity, and gradually increase it until you are back where you started.

Exercise Precautions For A Heart Healthy Exercise Program

There are many precautions you must keep in mind when developing an exercise program. Here are some tips.

* Stop the exercise if you become overly fatigued or short of breath; discuss the symptoms with you doctor or schedule an appointment for evaluation.

* Do not exercise if you are not feeling well or have a fever. You should wait a few days after all symptoms disappear before restarting the exercise program, unless your doctor gives other directions.

* If you experience shortness of breath or increased fatigue during any activity, slow down or stop the activity. Elevate your feet when resting. If you continue to have shortness of breath, call your doctor. The doctor may make changes in medications, diet, or fluid restrictions.

* Stop the activity if you develop a rapid or irregular heartbeat or have heart palpitations. Check your pulse after you have rested for 15 minutes. If it's still above 120-150 beats per minute, call the doctor for further instructions.

If you experience pain:

* Don't ignore it. If you have chest pain or pain anywhere else in the body, do not allow the activity to continue. Performing an activity while in pain may cause stress or damage to the joints.

Stop the exercise and rest if you:

* Have chest pain
* Feel weak
* Are dizzy or lightheaded
* Have unexplained weight gain or swelling (call the doctor right away)
* Have pressure or pain in the chest, neck, arm, jaw, or shoulder
* Have any other symptoms that cause concern


Call the doctor if you have symptoms that do not go away.