Rowing with Heart Failure — NYHA & METs

Bilingual: English & Español • Updated: September 15, 2025

Question Is it possible to be diagnosed with heart failure and still row 6 km in 60 minutes, 1000 m in 8 minutes, and 500 m in 3.5 minutes?

Answer Yes — if heart failure is mild or well-controlled (NYHA I–II), those rowing results are plausible. They are unlikely in NYHA III–IV.

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English

Summary & tables below. This page maps your rowing performances to NYHA functional class and metabolic equivalents (METs).

NYHA Functional Classes

ClassDefinition (short)Rowing Fit for 6k/60′, 1k/8′, 500m/3.5′
I — No limitationOrdinary activity doesn’t cause undue symptoms.✔️ Very likely achievable.
II — Mild limitationSymptoms with ordinary activity; comfortable at rest.✔️ Likely achievable with pacing.
III — Marked limitationSymptoms with less-than-ordinary activity.❌ Unlikely, not typical.
IV — Severe limitationSymptoms at rest.❌ Not feasible.

Estimated METs & VO₂

PerformancePaceEstimated METsApprox. VO₂ (ml/kg/min)
6 km in 60 min~2:30/500m5–617–21
1000 m in 8 min~4:00/500m3–410–14
500 m in 3.5 min~3:30/500m5–717–24

Context: Healthy adults often reach 30–40 ml/kg/min (8–11 METs). Many NYHA I–II patients have VO₂peak ≈ 15–25 ml/kg/min (4–7 METs). NYHA III–IV is typically <14 ml/kg/min (<4 METs).

Español

Resumen y tablas. Relacionamos tus resultados de remo con la clase funcional NYHA y los equivalentes metabólicos (METs).

Clases Funcionales NYHA

ClaseDefinición (breve)Validez para 6k/60′, 1k/8′, 500m/3.5′
I — Sin limitaciónLa actividad habitual no provoca síntomas excesivos.✔️ Muy probable.
II — Limitación leveSíntomas con actividad habitual; cómodo en reposo.✔️ Probable con buen control y ritmo.
III — Limitación marcadaSíntomas con actividad menor a la habitual.❌ Poco probable.
IV — Limitación severaSíntomas en reposo.❌ No factible.

METs & VO₂ estimados

RendimientoRitmoMETs estimadosVO₂ aprox. (ml/kg/min)
6 km en 60 min~2:30/500m5–617–21
1000 m en 8 min~4:00/500m3–410–14
500 m en 3.5 min~3:30/500m5–717–24

Contexto: Adultos sanos suelen alcanzar 30–40 ml/kg/min (8–11 METs). Muchos pacientes NYHA I–II tienen VO₂pico ≈ 15–25 ml/kg/min (4–7 METs). NYHA III–IV suele ser <14 ml/kg/min (<4 METs).

Clinical Notes / Notas clínicas

Quick Reference • Referencia Rápida

CategoryTypical Range
Healthy adult VO₂max30–40 ml/kg/min (8–11 METs)
HF NYHA I–II VO₂peak15–25 ml/kg/min (4–7 METs)
HF NYHA III–IV VO₂peak<14 ml/kg/min (<4 METs)

Disclaimer: Educational information only. Not medical advice. Always consult your clinician.