Heart Failure and Physical Activity

If you have heart failure, you may wonder if physical activity is good for you. You may worry that putting more strain on your heart could make your heart worse. But the heart is a muscle. And like other muscles, it gets stronger with use.

Regular and moderate physical activity is helpful. This includes walking, swimming, dancing, or biking. This type of activity can:

• Improve heart failure symptoms

• Reduce stress

• Increase your energy levels

• Lower blood pressure

• Improve circulation

• Help you lose weight

• Improve quality of life

These are all important factors in staying healthy. They are even more important when you have heart failure.

Being physically active with this condition can be hard. You may have to take some safety measures. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting a physical activity program. You may not be used to physical activity. And you may be nervous about it. Your provider can help you create a plan that fits your needs. Ask your provider if a cardiac rehab program is right for you.