Most experts recommend that exercise program plans include rest days to reduce the risk of

Theresa Cary MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CHFN, CCRN, and Clinical Nurse Specialist in heart failure talks about the importance of exercise for patients with heart failure.

Regular exercise has many benefits for patients with heart failure. A regular activity program will help:

  • Reduce heart disease risk factors and the chance of having future heart problems
  • Strengthen the heart and cardiovascular system
  • Improve circulation and help the body use oxygen better
  • Help increase energy levels so you can do more activities without becoming tired or short of breath
  • Improve muscle tone and strength
  • Improve balance and joint flexibility

Your doctor will let you know when it is the right time to begin an exercise program. You may need to avoid certain activities or have other restrictions based on your health. It may take many months to develop the optimal exercise program. Please refer to the heart failure binder and your personal hospital discharge plan for more information.

Here are some general guidelines from our cardiac rehabilitation staff to get started.

  1. Start slowly and gradually increase your walking pace over three minutes until the activity feels moderate (slightly increased breathing, but should still be able to talk with someone). If you feel too short of breath, slow down your walking pace.
  2. Walk at a moderate pace for about five-ten minutes the first time and each day try to add one or two minutes as you are able. You may tolerate shorter bursts of activity spread throughout the day. Aim for a goal of walking 30-45 minutes per day with rest intervals as needed; on most days of the week.
  3. Remember to cool down at the end of your exercise by gradually walking slower for the last three minute of your exercise.
  4. Rest when you need to, but try not to lie down after exercise, as it reduces exercise tolerance.
  5. If walking outside, walk with someone or in short distances close to home so you do not get too far away and have a hard time walking home.
  6. Choose an aerobic activity that you enjoy such as walking (outside or on a treadmill), stationary cycling, swimming, and rowing or water aerobics.
  7. Ask your doctor before lifting weights.
  8. Exercise should be done regularly to gain the benefits; national guidelines suggest most days of the week if not everyday.
  9. Try to exercise at the same time everyday to establish a habit and to minimize any variables that may impact your exercise (timing of meals, medications, work schedule, etc.)
  10. Remember that some shortness of breath or a faster heart rate is expected when you exercise. But - if you have excessive shortness of breath, a rapid heart rate that does not resolve after 15 minutes of rest, dizziness, chest discomfort, or weakness, stop your exercise, rest and notify your doctor.
  11. You may be on medications that may affect your exercise tolerance; keep your exercise expectations day to day as you go through recovery.

Ask your doctor about an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program to assist with developing the best exercise program and assisting with lifestyle changes such as heart healthy diet, quitting smoking, weight loss and stress management. Cardiac rehabilitation may not be covered by insurance companies for patients with heart failure so please call your insurance company first. If not covered, many patients feel more in control and reassured when they have one appointment for initial recommendations and guidelines. There may also be low cost phase three programs in your community that will provide the support you need to get on a heart healthy path.

More information on cardiac rehabilitation:

  • How to choose a cardiac rehabilitation program.
  • Find a Cleveland Clinic cardiac rehabilitation program.
  • If you are not from the Cleveland area, ask your local doctor for a program near you.

Adults should do some type of physical activity every day. Exercise just once or twice a week can reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke.

Speak to your GP first if you have not exercised for some time, or if you have medical conditions or concerns. Make sure your activity and its intensity are appropriate for your fitness.

Adults should aim to:

  • do strengthening activities that work all the major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms) on at least 2 days a week
  • do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week
  • spread exercise evenly over 4 to 5 days a week, or every day
  • reduce time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity

You can also achieve your weekly activity target with:

  • several short sessions of very vigorous intensity activity
  • a mix of moderate, vigorous and very vigorous intensity activity

These guidelines are also suitable for:

  • disabled adults
  • pregnant women and new mothers

When you start exercising after pregnancy, make sure your physical activity choices reflect your activity levels before pregnancy. You should include strength training.

After your 6- to 8-week postnatal check, you can start to do more intense activities if you feel you're able to. Vigorous activity is not recommended if you were inactive before pregnancy.

What counts as moderate aerobic activity?

Moderate activity will raise your heart rate, and make you breathe faster and feel warmer. One way to tell if you're working at a moderate intensity level is if you can still talk, but not sing.

Examples of moderate intensity activities include:

  • brisk walking
  • water aerobics
  • riding a bike
  • dancing
  • doubles tennis
  • pushing a lawn mower
  • hiking
  • rollerblading

What counts as vigorous activity?

Vigorous intensity activity makes you breathe hard and fast. If you're working at this level, you will not be able to say more than a few words without pausing for breath.

In general, 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week can give similar health benefits to 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity.

Most moderate activities can become vigorous if you increase your effort.

Examples of vigorous activities include:

  • running
  • swimming
  • riding a bike fast or on hills
  • walking up the stairs
  • sports, like football, rugby, netball and hockey
  • skipping
  • aerobics
  • gymnastics
  • martial arts

For a moderate to vigorous workout, get running with Couch to 5K, a 9-week running plan for beginners.

What counts as very vigorous activity?

Very vigorous activities are exercises performed in short bursts of maximum effort broken up with rest.

This type of exercise is also known as High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).

Examples of very vigorous activities include:

  • lifting heavy weights
  • circuit training
  • sprinting up hills
  • interval running
  • running up stairs
  • spinning classes

What activities strengthen muscles?

To get health benefits from strength exercises, you should do them to the point where you need a short rest before repeating the activity.

There are many ways you can strengthen your muscles, whether you're at home or in a gym.

Examples of muscle-strengthening activities include:

  • carrying heavy shopping bags
  • yoga
  • pilates
  • tai chi
  • lifting weights
  • working with resistance bands
  • doing exercises that use your own body weight, such as push-ups and sit-ups
  • heavy gardening, such as digging and shovelling
  • wheeling a wheelchair
  • lifting and carrying children

Try exercise routines like:

  • strength workout videos in our Fitness Studio exercise videos

You can do activities that strengthen your muscles on the same or different days as your aerobic activity – whatever's best for you.

Muscle-strengthening exercises are not always an aerobic activity, so you'll need to do them as well as your 150 minutes of aerobic activity.

Physical activity recommendations for other age groups:

  • Physical activity guidelines for children (under 5 years)
  • Physical activity guidelines for children and young people
  • Physical activity guidelines for older adults

GOV.UK also has a number of physical activity guidelines as infographics.

Which of the following is recommended in planning your exercise program? You should start with less vigorous activities done for a longer duration.

What is the rest portion of the rice principle?

R-I-C-E stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. In the bleeding disorders community, we've added another I for Immobilization and another C – for Concentrate. REST is probably the most basic and most difficult principle to apply. While a joint or muscle is actively bleeding, it should be rested.

Which of the following types of exercise includes activities that involve the rhythmic use of large muscle groups for extended periods of time multiple choice question?

aerobic exercise – all rhythmic activities that use large muscle groups for an extended period of time. 10. anaerobic exercise – intense, short bursts of activity in which the muscles work so hard that they produce energy without using oxygen. 11.

What is the most important factor in increasing aerobic fitness?

Cardiorespiratory training can enhance the body's ability to metabolize fats and carbohydrates into fuel, both with and without oxygen. While cardio training is most often associated with fat loss, it is also the best way to improve aerobic capacity, which is the ability to use oxygen to fuel exercise activity.