"Execises after a Heart Attack"

It's a fine line to walk with exercise after a heart attack is serious. To leave weak links in your body system, you can always count on disease or trauma. Myocardial infarctions (or heart attacks) are no exception. This is why prevention is so much easier and economical to pursue than the bill and heartache of the lifestyle lived before the heart attack. Sweat and tears after discharge from the hospital, the pain and trauma during, and the blood. But, you're here now... so let's move towards a better, healthier life, while at the same time using wisdom and precaution to avoid the onset of more heart attack symptoms.

       

           

A heart attack may leave you with weak links in response to exercise (listed below), your heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI) It is wise to consult your physician about any abnormal symptoms that you experience during exercise if you have had a heart attack. Your life depends on your heart. could It could cost you your life by guessing at what is OK and not OK. With any cardiovascular disease, you must tread softly. Weak links can include:   

Changed cardiorespiratory response,

Blood flow reactions,

Lowered aerobic capacity,

Decreased ability of the heart to push blood out to the rest of the body,

Lowered oxygen transport in the body,

Decreased systolic BP response to exercise,

Increased heart rate,

Sloppy emptying of the chambers of the heart,

Chest pain symptoms,

Ventricular arrhythmia's.

There is a good rationale for exercise training with the history of MI despite the sometimes grim outlook on exercise and heart attack history. Remember that there are other preventions and prophylactic measures you can take to get healthier despite your heart or medical history. Getting healthy and staying that way counts every little step towards it.  It's never too late to start your attempts.                           

Aerobic Training 

Flexibility 

Frequency and Duration 

Some exercise is better than nothing regardless of damage. This may mean that you develop a walking program with the help of your doctor instead of training for a marathon... remember each step counts.

While considering the enormous benefits, you should discuss with your physician: Exercise after a heart attack is something Increased VO2Max

Increased breathing response to exercise

Decreased chest pain

Improved heart rate variability

Decreased body weight

Decreased fat

Decreased blood pressure,

Decreased blood cholesterol,

Decreased serum triglycerides,

Decreased LDL's (bad cholesterol)

Increased HDL's (good cholesterol)

Improved well being

Improved heart protection against strenuous physical activity

From a heart-related issue, individuals by decreasing chances of dying by 20-25%. Overall, exercise appears to improve the health of all results and are individual and not guaranteed - discussing an exercise plan with your physician is the safest thing to do.

Most patients are now taking related medications who have had a heart attack. It is important to know that certain medications can alter and affect your body's response to exercise. These include:

Diuretics

Beta Blockers

Vasodilators

Calcium channel blockers

Central nervous system-active drugs

Alpha receptor blockers

Anti arrhythmic agents

Digitalis

This is not an exhaustive list and again, follow the advice and orders from your doctor.

Other considerations: 

Sitting up or standing can help slow your strength loss simple, yet effective periods. With rhythmic exercises such as rowing, cycling, walking or stair climbing, later on, it is better to work for the large muscle groups with Strength Training 

The benefits don't cross over with upper extremity muscles as well as your legs. 

Chose static stretching vs. dynamic stretching 2-3 days a week.

Frequency and Duration 
Heart attack considerations should be low, to begin with generally, exercise after starting with as low as 40% of VO2Max. Use 11-15 score range on the RPE scale or 6-20 on the Borg scale.

When you are instructed to, exercise after a heart attack 3 days a week (but not 3 days in a row!) for 20-40 continuous or accumulated minutes. The beginning and end (respectively) which are critical for an injured heart, don't surpass the 5-10 minute warm up and cool down.

 

On your own" exercise after a heart attack can be dangerous, take it easy and remember that.  You should be doing very well in 4-6 months, however, with the help of your doctor and physical therapist or certified personal trainer.