In the case of heart failure, one of the recommendations that patients receive is to limit excessive exercise. On the other hand, however, it is definitely not the case that physical activity is contraindicated for patients with this heart disease - in fact, a moderate degree of exercise can have very beneficial effects in people with heart failure.
Doctors have emphasised for years how important regular physical activity is for maintaining good health. On the other hand, there are some patients for whom excessive exercise is not advisable, such as those with heart failure. Excessive, prolonged training can indeed be detrimental to such people, but in general, moderate exercise can be really beneficial for them.
In patients with heart failure, one of the problems is insufficient oxygen supply to various tissues. During sports, blood circulation is improved, so that oxygen delivery to the tissues is also improved. In general, physical activity in people with heart failure can reduce the severity of the symptoms of the disease, as well as have a positive impact on the patients' quality of life and reduce the risk of hospitalisation. It is worth emphasising here that sport can have a positive effect on both the heart and the functioning of other organs of the body.
Not every sport will be suitable for people with heart failure - recommended activities include
- Nordic walking,
- Swimming,
- Cycling.
It is important that the activity is enjoyed and tolerated by the patient. Even simple walking can help maintain the best possible health, but it is important to bear in mind that certain conditions indicate the need to stop exercising. These include chest pain, progressive shortness of breath, increased dizziness or significant acceleration of the heart rate.