Lower exercise targets?

[RevDocTony]

Hi! Once upon a time I was very fit. Now I'm learning to live with systolic heart failure and have learned the value of exercise while helping with a research project. But... on my meds, an HR of 110 is as high as I go; 3 miles is the farthest I can walk (and running is out). So - please - how can I change the suggested targets to make my progress reports relevant to my condition.

[shipo]

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@RevDocTony wrote:
Hi! Once upon a time I was very fit. Now I'm learning to live with systolic heart failure and have learned the value of exercise while helping with a research project. But... on my meds, an HR of 110 is as high as I go; 3 miles is the farthest I can walk (and running is out). So - please - how can I change the suggested targets to make my progress reports relevant to my condition.

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I'm thinking there are so very many components of Systolic Heart Failure any of us here short of a few cardiologists are completely unqualified to recommend anything in addition to your own cardiologist.

The above said, I am curious about some of the metrics you posted:

• Why is your heart rate limited to 110?
• Why are you limited to walking only three miles?
• As your fitness improves from your lifestyle changes, is it the plan of your cardiologist to increase some of your limits?

[RevDocTony]

A heart attack severely damaged by left ventricle. Now, each heartbeat pushes less than a third of the blood around my body than before the damage. My muscles therefore get far less oxygen than they were accustomed to - hence hugely restricted stamina. Also, beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors regulate (and restrict) my hearts activity keeping me alive. I also. Have an implanted defibrillator in case all that doesn't work. I'm sure your post was well meant but these are facts that cardiologists have taught me to cope with. Fitbit seeming somehow to belittle my efforts doesn't help much... hence wanting to set more realistic targets.

Sent from my iPad

[shipo]

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@RevDocTony wrote:
A heart attack severely damaged by left ventricle. Now, each heartbeat pushes less than a third of the blood around my body than before the damage. My muscles therefore get far less oxygen than they were accustomed to - hence hugely restricted stamina. Also, beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors regulate (and restrict) my hearts activity keeping me alive. I also. Have an implanted defibrillator in case all that doesn't work. I'm sure your post was well meant but these are facts that cardiologists have taught me to cope with. Fitbit seeming somehow to belittle my efforts doesn't help much... hence wanting to set more realistic targets.

Sent from my iPad

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Please understand I in no way meant to demean or belittle your efforts (which I personally think are courageous); I just wanted more information.

The above said, my final question stands; as your fitness improves from your lifestyle changes, is the plan of your cardiologist to increase some of your limits?

[bcalvanese · Accepted solution]

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@RevDocTony wrote:
Hi! Once upon a time I was very fit. Now I'm learning to live with systolic heart failure and have learned the value of exercise while helping with a research project. But... on my meds, an HR of 110 is as high as I go; 3 miles is the farthest I can walk (and running is out). So - please - how can I change the suggested targets to make my progress reports relevant to my condition.

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What fitbit device do you have?

If you have one with a heart rate monitor, you can set custom zones to fit what your cardiologist recommends.

You can also set custom goals for your steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, and floors climbed based on what your cardiologist recommends.

All these settings can be set in the app on your phone, so next cardio appointment you have, you can sit down with the doctor and go over these settings with him/her.

I am not going to advise you on what to set them at because that is definately something that only your heart doctor should advise you on.

In your case, if you dont have a device with a build in heart rate monitor, it may be a good idea to get one because the fitbits monitor your heart rate 24/7, and it may be a helpfull tool for both you and your doctor.

please do keep us posted, and it's great that you are taking steps to better your sittuation.

[emili · Accepted solution]

@RevDocTony as becalvanese pointed out, you can go into your settings and change all the goals. And you should. I agree. not that you need me to. Lower your step count, calories, steps, all of it. I would maybe set them to numbers that you see most days- so your highest average so there is a chance you will hit them with a bit of effort but not craziness.

@shipo I think you missed the point of the question. It wasn't what should be done to increase activity it was how to decrease preset goals.

[RevDocTony]

Many thanks - to becalvanese too - for this. This is indeed what I needed to know. FYI, I have a Charge HR which works for me pretty well - I just need to adjust the tarets to match reasonable expectations. Sorted!

[shipo]

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@emili wrote:

@shipo I think you missed the point of the question. It wasn't what should be done to increase activity it was how to decrease preset goals.

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I'm not sure what question I missed.  For my part, I was simply curious about the long term prognosis for @RevDocTony assuming he is able to improve his physical conditioning.

[HelenaFitbit]

Hey everyone - I understand that this is an important topic for everyone to understand this situation in this thread and help out our friend @RevDocTony, but I'll remind you that our Community Guidelines ask for civil discourse on these forums. Please refrain from personal attacks.

[SunsetRunner]

@ RevDocTony - let us know which Fitbit device you have and what you sync it to. For example, I am currently using an Alta and syncing it to my iPhone. With that information, we can tell you exactly how to adjust your goals. Smart thing to do! I'm currently recovering from a total knee replacement. Keeping my goals reasonable and in agreement with what my physical therapist recommends has been motivating as I keep reaching those goals.