Frequent and Progressive Physical Exercise in Heart Failure

Patients with heart failure usually feel fatigue (asthenia) and muscle weakness. This has different causes. On the one hand, less blood reaches the muscles, so they cannot perform their function generally by receiving less oxygen and nutrients. On the other hand, patients with heart failure notice a choking sensation (dyspnea) when performing some effort. That’s why they sometimes reduce their activity (for example, they leave less at home), and by using fewer muscles, they lose strength over time. Also, decompensation of the disease is frequent in heart failure that sometimes ends up needing the patient’s income; These hospitalizations can be prolonged (several weeks), so when being bedridden for a long time the patient’s muscles also suffer a certain degree of atrophy.

Physical inactivity is detrimental to patients with heart failure since it can promote the progression of the disease. Regular and progressive physical exercise has many beneficial effects as it decreases symptoms, improves quality of life and effort capacity, reduces hospitalizations and prolongs the survival of patients with heart failure.

To maintain the best possible shape, patients with heart failure should perform physical exercise, ideally every day. Walking at a good pace is an excellent workout. Swimming or cycling (in the park or on a stationary bike at home) are other great alternatives. The exercise carried out correctly does not damage the heart, but on the contrary, trains it and keeps it secure. We must avoid exercises against stiff resistance, such as weights of several kilograms because they can be harmful to the heart

Following physical activity on a regular basis is a habit remarkably beneficial for the organism, and mainly for the heart. But, to keep cardiovascular diseases away, what kind of physical exercise is most effective? Although a minimum of body movement is favorable compared to a sedentary lifestyle, several studies have confirmed that to prevent coronary problems the most useful thing is intense exercise. Not only because of the hormonal effects it produces (basal insulin drop), but because it is It helps to lose body fat and consequently very likely improvement of cardiovascular health.

It is always better to do some exercise than anything

To know what is the limit that determines whether an activity is more or less beneficial for the heart, researchers evaluated three groups of people. One of them made series of career on tape with previous heating three times a week, which was considered an intense exercise program. A second group performed, with the same frequency, treadmill, and the third team was physically inactive. Although the moderate activity group showed improvements in their blood pressure and body weight, those who performed intense exercise also saw positive effects on insulin sensitivity, aerobic capacity, endothelial function and other factors involved in the metabolic syndrome. That is, physical activity, in general, has health benefits and can prevent heart disease, but even more positive is the body’s response to intense exercise. For all this, it is always better to “do something” than “do nothing,” in addition to doing it in the company because socio-educational values are enhanced.