Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWalking BenefitsGuidelinesGetting StartedRisksOther Exercises
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Walking Benefits
Guidelines
Getting Started
Risks
Other Exercises
Walking is one of the best and easiest forms of exercise for people withcongestive heart failure(CHF). Years ago, healthcare providers advised patients to avoid working out, but that’s no longer the case. A 2018 study showed that regular, moderate-intensity walking can also prevent heart failure in people with heart disease.
Walking has numerous benefits for patients with heart failure, but as with all new exercise programs, you should check with your healthcare provider for guidelines on any precautions you should take.
What Is Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)?Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart can’t pump as well as it should to meet the body’s needs. Exercise can improve CHF because physical activity strengthens the heart muscle, which improves the heart’s ability to pump.
What Is Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)?
Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart can’t pump as well as it should to meet the body’s needs. Exercise can improve CHF because physical activity strengthens the heart muscle, which improves the heart’s ability to pump.
Walking to Strengthen Your Heart
Physical activity is important for heart health. Walking is one of the most popular forms of exercise and provides numerous benefits to your heart when you have heart failure.
Walking is an aerobic activity. Aerobic exercise makes your heart beat faster and makes you breathe harder. Both of these actions strengthen the heart. Walking helps congestive heart failure patients in several ways:
Other Walking Perks
Additional benefits you can get from walking include:
If you’ve had a cardiac event, such as a heart attack, your healthcare provider may recommend walking as part of yourcardiac rehabilitation program. Everyone recovers at a different pace, but cardiac rehab is worthwhile. People who participate in cardiac rehab have a faster and safer recovery and better outcomes post heart attack.
A 2015 study showed improvements in fitness during cardiac rehabilitation resulted in decreased mortality even at one year, which held true in study participants who started rehab in the lowest fitness group.
Walking 40 Minutes a Day Lowers Heart Failure RiskA 2018 study showed that walking for at least 40 minutes several times per week at an average to fast pace is associated with a near 25% drop in heart failure risk.
Walking 40 Minutes a Day Lowers Heart Failure Risk
A 2018 study showed that walking for at least 40 minutes several times per week at an average to fast pace is associated with a near 25% drop in heart failure risk.
Heart Failure Healthcare Provider Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Download PDF
Email AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Sign Up
Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.
There was an error. Please try again.
General Guidelines for CHF Patients
The American Heart Association has established physical inactivity as a modifiable risk factor for heart disease, however only 17% of patients with self-reported coronary heart disease perform the recommended levels of physical activity.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends the following exercise guidelines for meaningful health benefits:
There are special, additional recommendations for older people and those with chronic conditions:
Remember, if you’re unable to do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week because of your heart failure, walking a little is better than doing nothing. You can start with 5-10 minutes per day at a slow pace and add time and speed as you get stronger.
It’s best to always speak to your healthcare provider before beginning an exercise program. Your healthcare provider will be your best guide to determine how much and how intensely you can walk or do other types of exercise.
All you need to get started walking are comfortable clothes and supportive shoes. Layering your clothes is a good idea because doing so can keep you cool when your body temperature rises during your work out. Shoes designed for walking or running are best, but not essential.
Generally speaking, your workout should consist of a warm-up, conditioning, and cool-down.
Do not sit down without cooling down. This can make you feel dizzy or haveheart palpitations(when your heart skips a beat). Stretching at the end of your walk is an ideal time since your body is warmed up. Stretch your hamstrings, calves, chest, shoulders, and back. Hold each stretch for 15 to 30 seconds.
Your Heart Rate While WalkingWearing a heart rate monitor can help ensure your heart rate doesn’t get higher than your healthcare provider recommends. If you have a fast or irregular heartbeat while exercising, rest and let your heart rate slow down. Check your pulse after 15 minutes. If it is higher than 120-150 beats per minute, stop exercising and call your healthcare provider.
Your Heart Rate While Walking
Wearing a heart rate monitor can help ensure your heart rate doesn’t get higher than your healthcare provider recommends. If you have a fast or irregular heartbeat while exercising, rest and let your heart rate slow down. Check your pulse after 15 minutes. If it is higher than 120-150 beats per minute, stop exercising and call your healthcare provider.
Here are some additional walking tips:
Fit walking into your schedule whenever you can. That may mean three short walks a day. When you are able, longer walks will help you boost your stamina.
Stop Exercising If…If you experience the following signs you should stop exercising:If you get extremely short of breath, weak, dizzy or lightheaded while exercising, slow your pace or rest. While resting, keep your feet up. If your symptoms continue, call your healthcare provider.Skipped heartbeats or uneven heart rate (pulse)Feeling more tired or weakMajor sweating, upset stomach, or vomitingIf you have any type of pain, do not continue that exercise. Talk to your healthcare provider.If you have pain or pressure in your chest, arm, neck, jaw, or shoulder, call 911.
Stop Exercising If…
If you experience the following signs you should stop exercising:If you get extremely short of breath, weak, dizzy or lightheaded while exercising, slow your pace or rest. While resting, keep your feet up. If your symptoms continue, call your healthcare provider.Skipped heartbeats or uneven heart rate (pulse)Feeling more tired or weakMajor sweating, upset stomach, or vomitingIf you have any type of pain, do not continue that exercise. Talk to your healthcare provider.If you have pain or pressure in your chest, arm, neck, jaw, or shoulder, call 911.
If you experience the following signs you should stop exercising:
Generally, the benefits of walking for exercise outweigh the risks to your heart. It is rare that physical activity would create heart problems. The risk of heart problems during exercise correlates to your fitness level. Meaning that if you intensely workout with heart failure, but aren’t fit, your risk of having a heart attack during the workout is higher and vice versa.
Having congestive heart failure means you need to be cautious about when and how intensely you exercise. Some instances that may signal you should avoid exercising include:
If these symptoms are persistent, you may want to check in with your healthcare provider.
How Walking Can Help You Lose Weight
Other Heart-Healthy Exercises
Walking is great exercise for congestive heart failure patients, but there are other options, too:
A Word From Verywell
Walking may not be as vigorous as other types of exercise, but research shows it is equal to all different types of exercise in terms of lowering heart failure risk.Speak to your healthcare provider about tailoring a walking workout to your level of fitness that considers your heart failure limitations.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.LaMonte MJ, Manson JE, Chomistek AK, Larson JC, Lewis CE, Bea JW, Johnson KC, Li W, Klein L, LaCroix AZ, Stefanick ML, Wactawski-Wende J, Eaton CB.Physical activity and incidence of heart failure in postmenopausal women.JACC Heart Fail. 2018 Dec;6(12):983-995. doi:10.1016/j.jchf.2018.06.020Darden D, Richardson C, Jackson E.Physical activity and exercise for secondary prevention among patients with cardiovascular disease.Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep. 2013;7(6):10.1007/s12170-013-0354-5. doi:10.1007/s12170-013-0354-5Johns Hopkins Medicine.Exercising for better sleep.Cleveland Clinic.Exercise & activity after a heart attack.Pandey A, Patel M, Gao A, et al.Changes in mid-life fitness predicts heart failure risk at a later age independent of interval development of cardiac and noncardiac risk factors: the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study.Am Heart J. 2015;169(2):290-297.e1. doi:10.1016/j.ahj.2014.10.017.Regular walking may protect against heart failure post menopause. American College of Cardiology’s 67th Annual Scientific Session. March 2018.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Physical activity guidelines for Americans 2nd edition. 2018.Anagnostakou V, Chatzimichail K, Dimopoulos S, et al.Effects of interval cycle training with or without strength training on vascular reactivity in heart failure patients.J Card Fail. 2011;17(7):585-591. doi:10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.02.009American Heart Association.Exercise mind and body with yoga and mindful movement. Jan. 9, 2017.Additional ReadingAmerican Heart Association.Why is walking the most popular form of exercise? Jan. 10, 2017.Cleveland Clinic.Heart failure: Exercise: management and treatment. Nov. 27, 2018.Cleveland Clinic.Heart failure: Exercise. Nov. 27, 2018.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Physical activity and your heart.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.LaMonte MJ, Manson JE, Chomistek AK, Larson JC, Lewis CE, Bea JW, Johnson KC, Li W, Klein L, LaCroix AZ, Stefanick ML, Wactawski-Wende J, Eaton CB.Physical activity and incidence of heart failure in postmenopausal women.JACC Heart Fail. 2018 Dec;6(12):983-995. doi:10.1016/j.jchf.2018.06.020Darden D, Richardson C, Jackson E.Physical activity and exercise for secondary prevention among patients with cardiovascular disease.Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep. 2013;7(6):10.1007/s12170-013-0354-5. doi:10.1007/s12170-013-0354-5Johns Hopkins Medicine.Exercising for better sleep.Cleveland Clinic.Exercise & activity after a heart attack.Pandey A, Patel M, Gao A, et al.Changes in mid-life fitness predicts heart failure risk at a later age independent of interval development of cardiac and noncardiac risk factors: the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study.Am Heart J. 2015;169(2):290-297.e1. doi:10.1016/j.ahj.2014.10.017.Regular walking may protect against heart failure post menopause. American College of Cardiology’s 67th Annual Scientific Session. March 2018.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Physical activity guidelines for Americans 2nd edition. 2018.Anagnostakou V, Chatzimichail K, Dimopoulos S, et al.Effects of interval cycle training with or without strength training on vascular reactivity in heart failure patients.J Card Fail. 2011;17(7):585-591. doi:10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.02.009American Heart Association.Exercise mind and body with yoga and mindful movement. Jan. 9, 2017.Additional ReadingAmerican Heart Association.Why is walking the most popular form of exercise? Jan. 10, 2017.Cleveland Clinic.Heart failure: Exercise: management and treatment. Nov. 27, 2018.Cleveland Clinic.Heart failure: Exercise. Nov. 27, 2018.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Physical activity and your heart.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
LaMonte MJ, Manson JE, Chomistek AK, Larson JC, Lewis CE, Bea JW, Johnson KC, Li W, Klein L, LaCroix AZ, Stefanick ML, Wactawski-Wende J, Eaton CB.Physical activity and incidence of heart failure in postmenopausal women.JACC Heart Fail. 2018 Dec;6(12):983-995. doi:10.1016/j.jchf.2018.06.020Darden D, Richardson C, Jackson E.Physical activity and exercise for secondary prevention among patients with cardiovascular disease.Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep. 2013;7(6):10.1007/s12170-013-0354-5. doi:10.1007/s12170-013-0354-5Johns Hopkins Medicine.Exercising for better sleep.Cleveland Clinic.Exercise & activity after a heart attack.Pandey A, Patel M, Gao A, et al.Changes in mid-life fitness predicts heart failure risk at a later age independent of interval development of cardiac and noncardiac risk factors: the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study.Am Heart J. 2015;169(2):290-297.e1. doi:10.1016/j.ahj.2014.10.017.Regular walking may protect against heart failure post menopause. American College of Cardiology’s 67th Annual Scientific Session. March 2018.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Physical activity guidelines for Americans 2nd edition. 2018.Anagnostakou V, Chatzimichail K, Dimopoulos S, et al.Effects of interval cycle training with or without strength training on vascular reactivity in heart failure patients.J Card Fail. 2011;17(7):585-591. doi:10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.02.009American Heart Association.Exercise mind and body with yoga and mindful movement. Jan. 9, 2017.
LaMonte MJ, Manson JE, Chomistek AK, Larson JC, Lewis CE, Bea JW, Johnson KC, Li W, Klein L, LaCroix AZ, Stefanick ML, Wactawski-Wende J, Eaton CB.Physical activity and incidence of heart failure in postmenopausal women.JACC Heart Fail. 2018 Dec;6(12):983-995. doi:10.1016/j.jchf.2018.06.020
Darden D, Richardson C, Jackson E.Physical activity and exercise for secondary prevention among patients with cardiovascular disease.Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep. 2013;7(6):10.1007/s12170-013-0354-5. doi:10.1007/s12170-013-0354-5
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Exercising for better sleep.
Cleveland Clinic.Exercise & activity after a heart attack.
Pandey A, Patel M, Gao A, et al.Changes in mid-life fitness predicts heart failure risk at a later age independent of interval development of cardiac and noncardiac risk factors: the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study.Am Heart J. 2015;169(2):290-297.e1. doi:10.1016/j.ahj.2014.10.017.
Regular walking may protect against heart failure post menopause. American College of Cardiology’s 67th Annual Scientific Session. March 2018.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Physical activity guidelines for Americans 2nd edition. 2018.
Anagnostakou V, Chatzimichail K, Dimopoulos S, et al.Effects of interval cycle training with or without strength training on vascular reactivity in heart failure patients.J Card Fail. 2011;17(7):585-591. doi:10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.02.009
American Heart Association.Exercise mind and body with yoga and mindful movement. Jan. 9, 2017.
American Heart Association.Why is walking the most popular form of exercise? Jan. 10, 2017.Cleveland Clinic.Heart failure: Exercise: management and treatment. Nov. 27, 2018.Cleveland Clinic.Heart failure: Exercise. Nov. 27, 2018.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Physical activity and your heart.
American Heart Association.Why is walking the most popular form of exercise? Jan. 10, 2017.
Cleveland Clinic.Heart failure: Exercise: management and treatment. Nov. 27, 2018.
Cleveland Clinic.Heart failure: Exercise. Nov. 27, 2018.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Physical activity and your heart.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
