Actionsets help people take an active role in managing a health condition.  Heart failure: Activity and exercise

Why? - Why the action is important? Why do you need a regular exercise program?

Making exercise a routine is important because it takes only a short period without activity to weaken your muscles and your heart.

Regular exercise also helps reduce:

  • Chest pain (angina) and symptoms of heart failure.
  • Cholesterol , especially when combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating a heart-healthy diet and not smoking.
  • Blood pressure. Regular exercise can lower your blood pressure. It helps even more when it's combined with other lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and learning to handle stress.
  • Your weight. And it can help you stay at a healthy weight when you reach it.
  • Blood sugar levels, which can lower your risk for diabetes and help you manage your diabetes.
  • Stress. It also helps lift your mood and decreases depression and anxiety.

Test Your Knowledge

  1. Regular exercise will help me control my stress and depression.

    1. True
    2. False

Continue to How? - Learn the steps involved in taking action. How can you get started on an exercise program?
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Author: Robin Parks, MS Last Updated: August 25, 2008
Medical Review: Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology

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