Heart Question really Serious,.What Exercise is Good ?

I have heart failure and experience what you are talking about. I have more swelling in my left leg because of a graft that was taken for a heart bypass operation.First and foremost, I recommend that you ask your doctor about getting into a cardiac rehab program. They will teach you what to do. Beyond that:

Talk to your doctor about it. If your weight increase by 3 lbs or more in one day - call in.

NO salt - I was so bad at one point that I could not drink milk or eat bread because of the sodium content.

Minimal Fluids - I was restricted to 4 cups of fluids ( including jello)per day.

When you take your diuretic, lay down and elevate your legs. This increases blood flow through your kidneys and helps them remove more fluid. The fundamental problem is that your kidneys regulate the amount of fluid in your body by "measuring" the blood flow. If the blood flow is reduced because your heart is not pumping, they react as if you are dehydrated.

Wear compression stockings. I think they are called anti-embolism stockings. They help force fluid out of your tissue so it can be eliminated. They are uncomfortable but they have saved me several trips to the emergency room.

Exercise - mild walking only. If you get out of breath, you are doing too much and can make your condition worse- damaging your heart further.

There are a couple of links attached that will help.

Talk to your doctor very soon regarding your problem and ask about cardiac rehab. It saved my life. He/she needs to be aware of the swelling and will give you specific guidance based on your condition.

If you have trouble breathing, don't fool around. Call an ambulance.

There should be no direct link between the fact that you have left heart failure, which is the 'normal' type, and one sided leg swelling. Your heart pumps blood through both legs at the same time. People with heart disease often have vascular disease in other areas as well and tis may be the problem. There really isn't enough reliable medical information about your condition to give much advice, thogh gentle exercise is usually good for everyone, you need to consult your physician.

your statement does not make sence. If you have a blood flow problem,which I am assuming is tricuspid regurgitation, you would have swelling in both legs, not just one. One sided swelling would first indicate the posibility of a DVT and you need treatment with blood thinners. As you can see, this complicated matter needs to be addressed by your doctor.

DVT is a blood clot and this will cause swelling in one leg. tricuspid regurge is a leaky valve in the heart which can cause the blood to back up and create swelling. But you mentioned you were diagnosed with heart failure. So with that detail your treatment needs to address the heart failure.

A good exercise not only for the heart, but a total body work out is swimming. If you swim for about 30 min. a day you burn calories, tone muscles, work your heart, work every muscle system in your body, and all without getting all sweaty. Plus if you have joint, back, or knee problems water is the best medium to exercise in without causing pain or further damage.

Yes she's right swimming sounds good because it wont put any pressure on your ankle good thinking :)

Maybe any cardio vascular excercises that don't involve heavy use of your leg and ankle would help too,

Cross training machines might help as you won't be bouncing up and down on your ankle and be able to keep your leg almost straight

Doing any kind of light weight training and basic things like sit ups should help too, just to keep you fit

But swimming sounds best - fun and splashy

Can you get to a swimming pool? Walking in the water takes all the weight off of you but lets you do the exercise that you need. Check with your doctor to see if he recommends that, or maybe the bath tub.LUV

Gosh Jo I do not know. I don't want to give you the wrong advice the heart is nothing to mess with. I hope someone with experiance gives you some good advice. Take care Hun. I worry about you .

mum, you should tell your doctor, have you seent this thing called teakare it helps you lose a lot of wieght i lost 30 lb!!! or is you want to do it a differnt way strech or get a 1 lb ball a nd buy this kit to help peees lose wieght who have the thing you do!!!!

I'd ask your doctor Jo, they'll be specific exercises that won't put too much pressure on your heart!

Jo you need to put your arm in the air to get the blood flowing and call the emergency room to find out what you should do.

Love, honey