Exercise with myelofibrosis: Stay active and strong
Fact-checked by Exercise and myelofibrosis can coexist, but may require additional precautions to do so safely. You might want the strength, energy, and mood boost that movement can bring, but you also worry about fatigue or bleeding.
For people living with myelofibrosis, exercising doesn’t have to be intense to be beneficial. With the right physical activity plan, thoughtful movement can be a safe way to support your mind and body.
It’s important to always consult your doctor before beginning a new exercise regimen.
Benefits of staying active with myelofibrosis
Research on physical activity and cancer care has found that movement can reduce fatigue, improve quality of life, support mental health, and build aerobic fitness, or how well your heart and lungs help you move. Benefits for people with myelofibrosis include:
- improved mood, sleep, and quality of life
- improved cognitive (brain) function
- more strength for daily tasks
- increased appetite
- strengthened immune system
Physical activity with myelofibrosis might look different from what it did before, but it’s still possible. What matters most is finding a rhythm that helps you feel supported, energized, and connected to your body.
Low-impact exercises: Walking, yoga, and swimming
Low-impact exercise can be a gentle way to stay active with cancer, especially on days when myelofibrosis symptoms are making life harder.
If you’re new to exercising, start small. A short walk down the street or a few body weight moves (e.g., squats, lunges, or pushups) a few times per week are enough to start. Build up gradually, and incorporate plenty of rest before you feel worn out.
Some low-impact exercise options to ask your care team about include the following:
- Walking: Keep the pace easy and choose safe, flat paths.
- Yoga: Yoga for myelofibrosis may include slow stretching, mindful breathing exercises, or chair yoga.
- Swimming or water walking: Water can support your body, but ask your doctor first if you have an infection risk, wounds, or a catheter.
- Light strength work: Sit-to-stand moves or wall pushups can help you maintain muscle tone.
Exercise precautions: Protecting an enlarged spleen
Certain precautions are needed for some people with myelofibrosis, especially if your spleen is enlarged — a condition known as splenomegaly.
In myelofibrosis, excess blood cells can accumulate in the spleen, leading to its enlargement. Because the spleen sits under the ribs on the upper-left side of the belly, a hard hit to that area can be particularly risky. An enlarged spleen is more vulnerable to rupture, which can cause dangerous internal bleeding.
Safe workouts for splenomegaly focus on lowering the risk of falls, hard impact, heavy strain, or pressure on the belly. Your care team may recommend avoiding contact sports, heavy lifting, extreme twisting motions, and activities with a high fall risk. Gentler choices, such as walking, light stretching, or supervised strength work, may be a better fit.
If you notice belly pain, swelling, or tenderness after exercising, seek medical attention immediately.
Monitoring your heart rate and energy
In myelofibrosis, a shortage of healthy red blood cells (anemia) can cause fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, or dizziness, so it helps to watch both your heart rate and how you feel while moving. Physical activity for anemia may need to be slower, shorter, and broken up with more rest. Light activities such as walking usually don’t cause drastic changes in heart rate or breathing, as long as you’re walking on a flat surface and at an easy pace.
It’s a good idea to monitor your heart rate while exercising. Ask your care team what a safe range is for you. You might also consider using a smartwatch that can help track your blood oxygen levels. A sudden drop or a low reading paired with shortness of breath or lightheadedness is a good reason to take a break and perhaps call your care team. Finally, remember to take breaks early and often — before you feel drained, not after.
Working with a physical therapist or specialist
A physical therapist or cancer exercise specialist can help shape an exercise plan around your symptoms, blood counts, and energy levels. This can be especially helpful if you’re dealing with anemia, dizziness, bleeding risk, or an enlarged spleen.
Exercise programs for myelofibrosis are often safest when they’re tailored to your unique situation and, at least at first, guided by a trained professional.
Myelofibrosis 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.
