The American Heart Association recommends regular aerobic exercise for people who have heart failure.

For many years, people with heart failure were advised to rest. After all, fatigue and difficulty in exertion are hallmarks of the disease - where the heart cannot efficiently pump blood and oxygen to the tissues.

But the American Heart Association now says that exercise should be the goal for people with heart failure. Regular physical activity such as walking, biking, swimming and dancing, improves the tone and lining of blood vessels. It also decreases levels of hormones which contribute to symptoms. And finally, it helps muscle pull out oxygen. Research shows the regular exercise contributes to the quality of life in heart failure patients, and makes it easier for them to do daily tasks.

There is no recommended exercise program to suit all heart failure patients. Instead, an individual approach - perhaps via cardiac rehabilitation classes - is best. The patient should take care to warm up first - especially if their condition is severe. Further research is now needed to see how exercise impacts on survival in heart failure.

Source

Circulation 4th March 2003