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Heart failure is a long-term condition where the heart can't pump enough blood through the body. When this happens, parts of the body don't get the blood and oxygen they need.

Living with heart failure can be a challenge. But there are things you can do to help improve your symptoms. One thing is to follow the instructions from your health care provider about living a healthy lifestyle. This includes choosing the right exercise plan.

Doing daily physical activity is important when you have heart failure. You may have some limits on your activity, so talk to your provider before doing any exercises.

What are the benefits of exercise?

Exercise may:

a. Make your heart muscles stronger and help your body use oxygen better. This helps with symptoms like tiredness and shortness of breath.

b. Help your bones stay strong.

c. Improve your blood flow.

d. Help your mental health by lowering the risk of depression.

e. Decrease your chance of going to the hospital for heart failure.

f. Improve your risk factors by:

1. Lowering your blood pressure.
2. Lowering your cholesterol.
3. Improving diabetes if you have it.
4. Helping you to lose weight.

What is an exercise plan?

An exercise plan is a set of specific exercises and activities. You'll work with your provider to create the plan that works for you. The plan may include:

a. Cardiac rehabilitation. These are supervised exercises that are designed to help your heart.

b. Different types of exercises such as:

1. Strengthening.
2. Balance.
3. Flexibility.
4. Aerobic.

What are strengthening exercises?

Strengthening exercises involve using resistance to improve your muscle strength. These usually have repeated motions. They can include:

1. Lifting weights.
2. Using weight machines.
3. Using resistance tubes and bands.
4. Using your body weight, such as doing push-ups or squats.

What are balance exercises?

Balance exercises strengthen the muscles of the back, belly, and pelvis (core muscles). They improve your balance and can lower your risk of falling. These may include:

1. Standing on one leg.
2. Walking backward, sideways, and in a straight line.
3. Standing up after sitting, without using your hands.
4. Shifting your weight from one leg to the other.
5. Doing tai chi. This uses slow movements and deep breathing.
6. Doing yoga.

How can I increase my flexibility?

Flexibility exercises can lengthen your muscles, improve your range of motion, and help your joints. They can also lower your risk of falling. These may include:

1. Doing tai chi.
2. Doing yoga.
3. Doing Pilates.
4. Stretching.

How much aerobic exercise should I get?

Aerobic exercise strengthens your breathing and blood flow. It also increases your body's use of oxygen. This type of exercise causes your heart to beat faster while you're doing it. Examples include biking, walking, and swimming.

Talk to your provider to find out how much aerobic exercise is safe for you.

To do this type of exercise:

1. Start slowly, limiting the amount of time at first. You may need to start with 5 minutes every day.
2. Slowly add more minutes until you can safely do at least 30 minutes, at least 5 days a week.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.