Heart Failure...now barred from gym 😢

[alexgilbert]

My symptoms have recently been getting worse, when I say 'recently' I mean in the past two weeks, I am getting very breathless with the simplest activity e.g. climbing the stairs and I get tired so easily. A year or so ago I would regularly hike 20 plus miles in our beautiful Scottish countryside without the slightest concern about my ability but not now, I miss this part of my life more than I can say! After my diagnosis (HF-ref, LVSD like many on this forum) I continue to walk but not so far and stick to bus routes and avoid the slightest hill and built up areas just in case I need to call it a day. I know that this is probably inevitable given that I have heart failure and I know that there are many worse off than I am so I really do try not to feel sorry for myself. There has been one small consolation, I attend exercise classes at my local leisure centre twice a week and have started going to the gym one hour a week... I love it and I never thought I would! I really enjoy meeting people that understand how I feel as they too mostly live with ongoing heart conditions or are recovering from cardiac events, I felt it was helping me and making up for the fact that I am not as active as I was however after telling my heart failure nurse that I have been attending these session she has advised me that I must stop and take life at a more leisurely pace until my symptoms improve... I am gutted! Has anyone else found themselves in this position? I don't want to turn into a couch potato and expert on daytime tv.

[Lezzers]

Hi, there is a heart failure foundation charity called Pumping Marvellous which has a closed Facebook group for people with heart failure, their carers & families. There is lots of support & advice from the members who are dealing with the same issues, I can highly recommend joining the group.

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

That's really tough, for your morale more than anything. Does your HF nurse mean stop temporarily until you get a once-over? Can't see that stopping exercise that is making you happy would be standard advice long-term. Everything I read about HF and exercise is that we should do it even though we feel dreadful. "Do what you planned, not what you feel like," is just one of many phrases that haunts me from the BHF guide to living with HF! I'm definitely NOT saying to keep exercising against your HF nurse's advice but do ask for a bit more info, I think. Hopefully your symptoms will ease up soon and you will be able to get back to the gym. If it's any consolation (?!) I always struggle a bit more with symptoms in the winter months but usually get a bit more energetic again come spring. Maybe a short hibernation is all you need...? Good luck and hope you feel better soon x

[gmkilly]

I have HF and LVSD. The summer before my HA, I walked the wall, and did a lot of weight training as well as walking. After my HA, I barely made it 300m across the hospital car park to my car to come home. I walk a minimum of 40 minutes a day, and have started modified training again, with the input and approval of my cardiologist and HF nurse. I’m doing Snowdon next year with my brothers in law and a couple of friends. I’d certainly challenge your HF nurse. I was refused thx cardiac rehab because I am an HF patient, and I insisted on doing it. Whilst we’re all different in how HF affects us, unless you’ve got other issues, maintaining some level of fitness is good. Get in the Pumping Marvellous group, it’s really supportive and encouraging, and helped me a lot.

[Darny]

Hi,

I too have been incredibly breathless with HF until last week when my consultant quadrupled my diuretic and my breathlessness has magically gone!! Not sure if this might help you.

Darny 😀

[Routemaster]

I have heart failure and my cardiologist said no lifting weights or pushing hard against things. She said that walking and swimming were the best form of exercise and they really seemed to have helped. The HF nurses are, however, highly trained and I would be guided by their advice even if it means slowing down for a bit. I hope that you feel better soon.

Ann

[BigT2013]

Is there no Cardiac Rehabilitation Gym in your area?

They can usually still let you exercise but under controlled conditions. At set paces and they can monitor you during exercise.

Plus they are there if any serious issues. They can also pass on information they find to consultants. If required with your permission.

[FeetheBookworm]

When I was first diagnosed with HF I could barely put one foot in front of the other I was so exhausted. Once they got all the fluid off my lungs and was discharged from hospital I was encouraged to do as much exercises as I feel comfortable with. There is no funding in the area for HF patients regarding exercise so I joined a gym.

I already walk my dogs 3 times a day (1 long walk & 2 mini ones). At the gym I lift weights - baby ones, only 2lbs each but they make my arms feel like cotton wool! I prefer dog walking to the gym TBH but I get a sense of achievement!

If you feel the exercise is helping and makes you feel better I too am puzzled why your HF nurse is saying you must stop. It may only be until they have the current issues sorted. Hope you feel better soon

[Shaz12]

Hi Alex, It’s hard to believe that I had heart failure nearly a year ago so much change in my life I don’t have the ability to do much I try to do things a round the home but I found if I push my self to much it makes me feel ill so I have to stop.