Getting physical: Exercise and HAE

Last updated Nov. 12, 2024, by Susie Strachan
Fact-checked by Patrícia Silva, PhD

One way to help manage the stress of living with hereditary angioedema (HAE) is with exercise.

HAE swelling attacks are often unpredictable. The triggers are not well understood, and symptoms vary from person to person or even from attack to attack.

Regularly doing low-impact cardiovascular exercise and activities such as yoga, swimming, and walking can help with anxiety and other HAE symptoms. You’ll still enjoy the many good-for-your-body benefits, such as improving your cardiovascular health, increasing energy levels, and building muscle strength.

But before you start exercising, it’s important to know which are the best workouts for people with HAE.

Benefits of exercise for people with HAE

Exercise offers numerous benefits for people with HAE for your physical and emotional well-being.

Children and teenagers may feel especially anxious from dealing with HAE.

Exercise can help alleviate stress, which is a common HAE trigger. It can help with the anxiety caused by the fear of unknown HAE triggers and dealing with the symptoms, including worrying about having a swelling attack that causes the airways to close.

Staying active may also support better sleep and emotional health.

Before beginning an HAE exercise program, talk with your healthcare provider about your HAE symptoms and treatments to determine the safest and most effective exercises for you.

Exercise tips

Finding the right balance between HAE and exercise involves selecting physical activities that are less likely to trigger an HAE attack.

The physical stress on the body from vigorous exercise can set off an HAE attack. Dehydration, too, can increase the risk of swelling attacks.

High-impact or strenuous activities may cause minor injuries, trauma, or repetitive strain on muscles and joints, which can lead to localized swelling. For example, the firm grip needed to swing a tennis racket or golf club, paddle a canoe, or hold weights may cause hand and arm swelling.

Running can put stress on the body and cause damage, including overuse injuries. The repetitive stress on the joints, particularly in the legs, can increase the risk of swelling episodes. The impact from running may lead to physical trauma, which is also a known trigger for HAE attacks.

Low-impact exercises for HAE are generally safer as they minimize the risk of injury and strain while still offering benefits, including helping to relieve stress.

Low-impact exercise recommendations for HAE may include: 

• Gentle walking is an easy way to keep active without straining joints or muscles.
• Water aerobics uses the buoyancy of water to reduce pressure on your body while offering full-body movement.
• Stationary cycling is a safer alternative to outdoor cycling due to a lower likelihood of injury or trauma.
• Yoga can be customized to include gentle poses and breathing exercises that reduce stress allowing for relaxation without strain.

Always discuss with your healthcare team which exercises are best for you.

Exercise tips that help manage swelling:

• Do shorter exercise sessions.
• Avoid gripping equipment.
• Stay away from activities involving repetitive body motion.
• Try not to get too hot.
• Find shade when exercising outdoors.
• Drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after your workout.
• Don’t wear clothing that rubs.

Shorter exercise sessions with more frequent breaks reduce physical strain and prevent overexertion and dehydration, which lowers the risk of triggering a swelling episode.

It’s also a chance for your body to recover from fatigue or physical stress, and gives you a moment to listen to your body’s signals and try to recognize any early warning signs of an impending attack.

Physiotherapy can play a role in managing HAE with exercise by creating a personal plan that emphasizes safe exercises for HAE, including strength training. A physiotherapist can help you improve your strength, monitor your motion, and correct alignment, helping to minimize the risk of triggering swelling episodes associated with HAE.

If you have a child with HAE, they may need guidance on participating in physical activities at school or if playing sports. Meet with your child’s teacher or coach to discuss possible modifications that consider the risk of swelling episodes. Together come up with alternative activities that keep your child engaged but are not likely to be HAE triggers.

Managing flare-ups during exercise

Understanding how to manage and treat swelling episodes can help when you have HAE flare-ups from exercise.

• Keep on hand treatments designed to provide immediate relief during an attack.
• Use preventive treatments, such as prophylactic medications, to help reduce the frequency of swelling episodes during exercise.
• Take over-the-counter medications to alleviate mild discomfort or inflammation as needed.
• Start an activity symptom diary to help you identify specific triggers related to exercise so you can adjust your fitness routine as needed.

Angioedema News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.