BALANCE ACTIVITY AND REST: Regular activity will help you to improve your fitness, so that you can do more with less effort. Don't let CHF stop you form being active. On days that you feel good, plan an extra activity like a short walk or a little shopping. You'll probably have good days and bad days, so know your limits and work up gradually. On days you don't feel as well, you may need to limit extra activities.
CONTINUE TO DO ACTIVITIES YOU ENJOY: Gardening, golfing, shopping, walking the dog and playing with the grandchildren are good ways to keep active. Regular, low-level exercise (beyond your normal routine) may benefit your health and ability to enjoy a wider range of activities.
GET ENOUGH REST: While activity is helpful to your heart, getting enough rest is also important. Plan times through the day when you can rest and relax. As you rest, your heart muscle can also rest and get ready for your next activity. Nap, read or just enjoy some fresh air. Put your feet up to reduce edema. Get plenty of sleep each night.
RESTING AFTER MEALS IS AN ESPECIALLY GOOD IDEA: You body uses a lot of energy for digestion.
LIMIT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WHEN THE WEATHER IS VERY HOT OR COLD: Your body must work hard to regulate body temperature.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND AVOID HARMFUL SUBSTANCES: Stop smoking. Smoking damages your blood vessels, reduces the amount of oxygen in you blood and makes your heart beat too fast. If you've tried to quit before and failed, try again. Most people quit more than once before succeeding.
Limit or eliminate alcohol intake. Drinking too much alcohol makes the heart muscle weaker. Your doctor may advise you to cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink or eliminate your intake altogether.
Extra body weight makes your heart work harder. If you are overweight, talk to your doctor about ways to get your weight under control.
Follow your doctor's instructions about taking care of any related conditions you may have, like kidney problems, diabetes or an abnormal heartbeat.
EXERCISE ? ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN FIRST: The amount of exercise you can do will depend on the degree of your heart failure. Talk with your doctor about the types and amount of exercise you can do. Your doctor may refer you to a cardiac rehabilitation program to help you plan and monitor your response to exercise.
- Exercise should be guided by common sense and should be in the light to moderate level of intensity.
- Short walks are a good way to begin exercise; however, do not walk to the point of pain or discomfort.
- Avoid exercises that cause chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Avoid exercise shortly after eating.
- Avoid exercising when you don't feel well.
- Avoid exercising in extreme temperatures.
- Avoid heavy lifting.
- Resume sexual activity according to your doctors instructions.
- Try to be regular with your exercise as you will gain more strengthening of the heart; sporadic exercise can actually be stressful.
- Report any symptoms or changes in your ability to exercise (i.e., more short of breath with usual walking distance) to your physician.
- "Eleventh Commandment" - If it hurts, it is wrong. Stop the activity that is causing you pain, no matter who told you to do it, and call your doctor.
