After 12 weeks, only the drug group showed improved heart pumping. But only the rehabilitation group showed greater exercise ability, less depression, and signficant weight loss. Lose weight . Excess baggage raises blood pressure and makes the heart work harder to move blood through all the extra tissue. Losing weight lowers blood pressure and gives a fatigued heart a break.
Regular exercise is key to weight control.
Exercise burn calories and also raises your basal metabolic rate, how quickly you burn calories while resting. However, if you have CHF, Dr. Pina recommends a physician-supervised weight control program, especially if you're taking diuretic medication below. Social support . Heart failure is scary. Social support can help keep the anxiety of CHF under control.