Heart Failure and Exercise

In January of 2020, at the age of 72, I was diagnosed with heart failure after three episodes of PSVT. I had an ejection fraction of 20 (55 to 70 is normal), so my situation was serious.

A cath revealed no arterial disease, but my history of a left bundle branch blockage resurrected. I was placed on metoprolol and continued my regimen of a baby aspirin daily, and then I started cardiac rehab (not having been a regular exercise program kind of a guy).

Exercising is key

I never stopped exercising five to six days a week. I currently exercise about 45 minutes a day at home. I purchased a used Schwinn Airdyne bike. Its tension increases the harder you pedal, and it affords you arm and leg movements.

After several months of exercise, my ejection fraction started to increase slowly. It appears to have normalized at 50, which I consider low normal. My cardiologist is pleased.

More diagnoses, more treatments

During this period, I was also diagnosed with kidney disease (3a) and prostate cancer. So I got "hit" hot and heavy. I went through 43 radiation treatments and 20 months of hormone treatments and went under the care of a nephrologist twice a year. The doctors aren't sure, but I suspect the kidney disease is a result of not enough blood getting to the kidneys due to heart failure.

How I'm doing now

So that brings us to today. I am 76, my kidney disease has stayed stable at 3a, my PSA is under one, and my ejection fraction remains at 50. I have also been through two shoulder replacement surgeries and am looking forward to securing a part-time job when my current therapy is over.

I volunteer to play my accordion in the hospital lobby several days a month, and I sing in the church choir while facilitating an outreach church ministry. I say all this not because I am seeking "attaboys" but to encourage others suffering from various ailments not to give up and to foment hope.

I recognize that my circumstances around heart failure may not be the same as yours, but I suspect the doctors will tell all of us that there is always some form of exercise we can participate in. I give exercise and diet a lot of credit. I hope to keep it up for the rest of my life. I thank this forum for allowing me to share my story.

George