Regenerate a weak pump
Heart failure does not mean you must avoid all exercise. On the contrary. According to a new study, you can actually generate new blood vessels—which will strengthen your heart muscle—but you need to get winded.
And I don't mean the shortness of breath that characterizes heart failure.
The study shows that people who suffer from serious heart failure can obtain significant benefits by exercising to the point of breathlessness just 30 minutes per day.
Those benefits include the production of new stem cells within their bones and new blood vessels in their muscles.
According to the study, new muscle or blood vessels will not regenerate without the exercise—an obvious point, but let's understand what's going on.
Here's what happens. When you engage in physical activity that taxes you, the heart pumps 10 times the normal amount of blood to the muscles you're using. This causes stem cells to kick in and race to repair any damage from the strain and also helps your body to better handle stress.
For you to get the same benefits as found in this study, you won't be able to take just a couple of walks during the next week and then feel all better. You need to keep up a regular regimen of exercise in order to maintain those benefits.
But then there's the other side of the fence. Before you run out and start breathing hard or breaking a sweat, you need to see your doctor first. Ask him what your maximum limits are right now so you know what range to start working within.
You might be able to take only a few steps at a time before feeling out of breath, but take heart (no pun intended): Everyone has to begin somewhere, and you'll be amazed at the changes you'll begin to feel. Your doctor can work out a plan with you to safely get you up to that beneficial level where you'll experience the growth of both muscles and blood vessels.
I can tell you from my own experience that a brisk 30- to 45-minute walk with your head up and arms swinging will give you a meaningful workout that will lift your spirit, help keep the pounds off, keep you limber, and, as seen in this study, keep your heart healthier.
