Exercise

[Yasyass]

Can anyone give me on wh advice on what exercise I can do I had ha four years ago these three mths diagnosed with hf no symptons I walk but don’t think it’s enough

[Hidden]

Exercise serves many purposes - cardiovascular fitness, strength, suppleness/flexibility, emotional wellbeing and bone health amongst them. A safe exercise program is an individual thing for each heart patient and considers prior exercise history, medical restrictions, medications, interest and abilities and so on. This is the long winded way of saying ask your doctor to refer you to a medically qualified exercise physiologist, not a personal trainer. They will assess you and then provide achievable goals and a safe exercise program. Good luck

[Heythrop51]

You need to speak to your medical team as they know your medical history and issues. The snippets you have posted do not paint a clear picture.

[Yasyass in reply to Heythrop51]

The snippets u have mentioned I thought made quite a clear picture to most in the group oh and thank you for your reply I will get in touch with the gp

[GracieOS]

I have heart failure, but am largely asymptomatic, I was told regular moderate exercise, so walking, cycling even jogging but no marathon running or the like. Regular and moderate are the key words. But, as others have said we are all different so take advice. What's moderate for one person could be too much or not enough for another. Regular is ideally daily or at least 5 days a week. I walk regularly and cycle in the summer, but not daily as work gets in the way, and do a couple of yoga classes a week. My heart failure has improved over the last year with this regime and the meds of course.

[Geoff47]

Have you thought about ballroom dance classes? Good exercise, good for the brain and an excellent social activity. My wife and I have been dancing for 25 years now and never regretted it. Have a look at areyoudancing.com for classes in your area.

[Yasyass in reply to Geoff47]

I have never danced in my life alwaz felt hopeless at it but love to watch but I will look for classes in my area thank you for your advice

[Pommel]

Hi yasyass, it would be great if you could find a rehab class or specialist to help, there's a referral programme where I live. I have HF myself and one of the main things I was advised to do is to always warm up gradually and cool down, basically don't just suddenly stop from exercising more strenuously than usual, so your heart rate gradually goes up and gradually slows down. Good luck! X

[bowls12]

Contact your local BHF branch and ask for the contact details of a cardiac rehab group.

Cardiac rehab groups are brilliant, start with gentle exercise and build up to whatever suits you.

[Yasyass]

Thank you all for your advice I think when next apt at cardiologist will ask him about classes

[lilymeg]

I wish I could dance ! I wish I could go for long day walks, I wish I could rock climb, go caving or go sailing however I can still drive a car although currently I'm unable to walk more than about 50 metres. To feel better and stronger I go swimming at the nearest pool (30 minutes drive from home, could go in the bay out the front but there are too many oysters on the ladder to the jetty and spouse moans about cold water, he has been told to accompany me) . Sooo the pool it is, I can't swim properly because I have rotator cuff problems with both shoulders and arthritis in my neck. Instead I lie on my back use a scissor kick and scull with my hands. After surgery, complicated by a fall, infection and more surgery, I have only just returned to my swims which currently are 250 metres three times weekly. 6 months ago, before the surgery I had increased to 300 metres thrice weekly. For me, the swimming is the best exercise, it doesn't stress my breathing (COPD plus AF (paroxysmal), tachycardia and syncope ), it doesn't stress my spine or my joints and muscles (OA and FMS and costochondritis)) Oh, I almost forgot - the swimming doesn't stress my artificial R hip or my L and R artificial knees. I love the feeling of weightlessness and I can be really relaxed and slow with my swim or put a bit more effort in if I feel like it.