I just wanted to share an experience that made me realise how scary some advice / support can be.
Yesterday I went to a heart failure clinic. The ladies there were very kind and informative. BUT... I was also told that there was nothing that could improve my situation other than medication.
I currently have 40% capacity , and the Dr's in Australia said that with time and exercise, I could get improve my heart muscle.
But Yesterday I was told,, the only thing that will keep me alive are the different medication I'm on.
I'm sure exercise and diet will help towards prolonging my potential life span, but my question is, can exercise help improve your heart, or just maintain its current status?
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Mulgrave23
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Your heart is a muscle & like any muscle it can be strengthened by exercise. However, my understanding is the same as you've been told by the HF clinic. HF isn't curable, its a chronic progressive condition but it is manageable & it's managed by medication, healthy diet & exercise together.
However, you should always take advice as to what level of exercise is best for you. I know of people who have HF and are running marathons whereas for the last 12 months my husband has been told to do nothing more strenuous than walking, even though he was feeling well enough to do a bit more, his cardiologist has definitely ruled out any weights or marathons though! He used to go to the gym at least 3 times a week & we do believe that being quite fit has helped him in his recovery with recent health problems.
after my heart attack in July 2021 my EF was 40%, it went up to 46% after medications for 6 months.
I’ve worn an Apple Watch for 1 year now and it’s brilliant for looking back at my fitness levels and my ability to swim has increased from being in the slow lane to being in the middle lane and I’m now swimming twice a week - a mile !! Each time.
My Pilates instructor said only yesterday how I’ve improved ( i only started Pilates 1 year ago), and I now play badminton once a week and recently went to my first walking football session - that’s brilliant fun. As well as walking here and there and a few gym sessions.
Walking uphill or stairs are improving but more slowly - annoyingly. I’m working on these.
I’m enjoying life and the birds singing are lovely to hear. So that’s my push to keep walking. Living in Wales I want to get up Moel Ffammau this spring ( might be a slow walk with plenty of rests though). I used to walk there a lot.
Keep taking the medications they’ll keep us going with a good quality of life. Good luck.
Lezzers has given you a great answer and I have always been told the same to yes we need medication but as it is a muscle with diet and exercise it can strengthen
Many have posted on here with the same and as they have done this and then been tested again and the percentage has gone up and some quite a bit
I think I would be wishing I had never gone to that clinic they should be encouraging you and I would say exercise , watch your diet and show them that you can strengthen the heart muscle
I wonder if they say this because some are resistant to taking the medications? I’m sure the answer lies in both following the medical advice, and also in a healthy lifestyle.
interesting. A friend of mine’s husband had a deteriorating heart condition that need a heart transplant. He was given a replacement and suddenly started liking weird foods that he’d have never had eaten before, also his personality traits had changed a bit. I happen to know that the heart has brain neurones circulating in it 😜👍🏻
My Mother developed serious Rheumatoid arthritis in EVERY joint and bone in her body, totally crippled. At 42 I decided’I AM NOT GETTING THAT’, and at 65 I haven’t, mind over matter!
I also have heart failure (a mature lady). I was also told the condition would get worse. I used to be at the gym three times a week, which I sorely miss. Unfortunately I also have breast cancer, degenerative spine and a hiatus hernia which as gone into my stomach. My mobility is very bad. I do about 20 minutes on my exercise bike each day. I think I am looking for a miracle. However, I do wish you all the luck in the world. Take care.
Dear Mulgrave23
You also have to take into account how exercise makes you feel.
Now without going into the full bio- mechanics of how it all works, it just makes you feel better and that must be a huge plus.
Never think that the mental battle is any easier than the physical.
We all know that's not true, but get the mental side sorted { which I don't personally think your nurses helped with } and it will make the journey easier.
What your aiming to do with any form of exercise is to make the casing that holds your heart as healthy as possible to give it the best chance.
Add to that taking an amazing combination of medication and you have a chance to enjoy { to your best } this incredible thing called life.
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