{"id":48609,"date":"2022-02-10T09:30:41","date_gmt":"2022-02-10T14:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=48609"},"modified":"2022-02-03T11:42:32","modified_gmt":"2022-02-03T16:42:32","slug":"entresto-and-exercise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/entresto-and-exercise\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you exercise while taking Entresto?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Living with heart failure can be challenging, but it\u2019s possible to live a full and vibrant life. The key is to follow guidance from your healthcare provider, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and take medication that helps your heart work optimally. One common medication that many heart failure patients are prescribed is <\/span>Entresto<\/span><\/a>, which is used to <\/span>treat chronic heart failure<\/span><\/a>. It is mainly prescribed to treat heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (when the left chamber of the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently). If you take Entresto and have noticed an improvement in your energy and stamina, you may be wondering if it\u2019s advisable to add some exercise into your life, and if so, how to go about it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at the safety of heart failure and exercise in general and what to know about exercising if you are taking Entresto.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you exercise if you have congestive heart failure?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Experts recommend exercising if you have congestive heart failure, but with a few important caveats. \u201cYou can certainly exercise with heart failure,\u201d says <\/span>Giovina Lara Collura, MD<\/span><\/a>, cardiologist, and assistant clinical professor of medicine and cardiology at Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai. Dr. Collura explains that exercise for heart failure is associated with<\/span> improved heart function<\/span><\/a>, as well as general enhancement to your quality of life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aeshita Dwivedi<\/span><\/a>, MD, a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC agrees that you can safely exercise with congestive heart failure and low ejection fraction. However, she stresses the importance of consulting with your doctor before doing so.<\/span><\/p>\n

All heart failure patients are different, so your healthcare provider will be able to give you specific advice about which exercises are right for you, and whether certain exercises are best for you to avoid. Your healthcare provider may also recommend you participate in a supervised exercise program at a cardiac rehabilitation center when you are first starting out, says Dr. Dwivedi.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is it safe to exercise while taking Entresto?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Anytime you are considering exercising while taking medication you should consult with your healthcare provider. But in most cases, it\u2019s safe to take<\/span> Entresto and exercise<\/span><\/a>. What\u2019s more,<\/span> a 2019 study<\/span><\/a> found that exercise tolerance improved for people who took medications containing sacubitril and valsartan, the<\/span> active ingredients in Entresto<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Collura confirms that it\u2019s generally safe to exercise if you take medication for heart failure, including angiotensin receptor blockers. \u201cBeing on a good medication regimen for heart failure can improve your ability to participate in activities,\u201d she describes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What side effects can Entresto cause while working out?<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Low blood pressure (hypotension) is one of the <\/span>most common side effects<\/span><\/a> of Entresto and may affect your exercise experience. Some people experience a drop in blood pressure when they go from lying down to standing up, and may experience dizziness and even fainting.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, if you are doing any exercise routines that require you to move from a lying down to sitting up position, you should do so slowly and mindfully. For example, if you have been doing an exercise lying on your back, consider sitting up first with your feet on the floor. Take a minute to pause there, before you fully stand up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Entresto can cause fatigue, so make sure you are well rested before you exercise, and be sure to rest afterward. Additionally, because Entresto can cause low blood pressure and increase your potassium levels, you need to stay well hydrated while exercising. Before you begin an exercise program, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you understand what side effects to watch for, and which side effects may require medical attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the<\/span> U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/span><\/a>, you should contact your doctor if you experience side effects such as a cough that won\u2019t go away or extreme fatigue. Side effects that warrant an immediate call to your healthcare provider include labored breathing, itchiness, a rash, or a swollen face, lips, tongue, or throat. These may be signs of a serious allergic reaction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>How exercise affects your blood pressure<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Interactions of Entresto with pre-workout supplements\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many people consider using supplements to boost energy before a workout and to help recover afterward. You should discuss any supplements you are considering taking with your healthcare provider, so you can ensure they won\u2019t worsen your heart condition and that they won\u2019t interact with Entresto or any medication you are taking.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifically, people who take Entresto should not take potassium supplements. Potassium is\u00a0 sometimes included as an ingredient in pre-workout powders and drinks. Make sure to read the label of the pre-workout supplement you are considering, and don\u2019t take anything with added potassium without consulting with a healthcare provider.<\/span><\/p>\n

You should also not take any potassium-sparing diuretics, which are sometimes called water pills, unless your doctor has told you to do so. Examples of potassium-sparing diuretics include<\/span> Aldactone (spironolactone), Dyrenium (triamterene), and Midamor (amiloride)<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s also advised that you refrain from taking salt substitutes while taking Entresto.<\/span><\/p>\n

What exercise is best for heart failure?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Congestive heart failure and physical exercise are not contraindicated, but that doesn\u2019t mean you should dive into it full force. There are certain heart failure exercise guidelines that healthcare providers recommend you follow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Dwivedi says that thinking along the lines of \u201cmild to moderate\u201d cardiovascular activity is a smart idea. Dr. Collura suggests \u201clight aerobic\u201d activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Exercises recommended by Dr. Dwivedi and Dr. Collura include:<\/span><\/p>\n