There is an opinion that after a myocardial infarction, physical activity should be minimal, but this is not the case.
The modern approach to this problem is to activate the patient as early as possible, engage in physical therapy during the recovery period, and maintain regular exercise after returning to active life.
How to exercise properly after a heart attack
We hope that our recommendations will help you deal with this problem.
- Before you engage in any type of physical activity without medical supervision, you need to make sure that you are fully restored to health and have completed the rehabilitation course after your heart attack. Talk to your cardiologist about safe types of physical activity and their intensity. Also, the cardiologist should explain to you which medications can affect your condition and well-being during physical activity.
- Avoid high-intensity resistance exercise (weight lifting), do not exercise during cold weather, and do not start exercising after meals, as this puts additional stress on the heart.
- Walking is an ideal form of physical activity; take 10 minutes from your lunch break for a walk; try to take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Whatever physical activity you choose (walking, swimming, gymnastics, gardening), you should increase the intensity for 10 minutes, and upon completion of the activity, gradually reduce it over 5-8 minutes to achieve a gradual slowdown in the heart rate. Set set realistic goals, don’t worry if you miss 1 day, just start another day at the same intensity level you left off at.
- Try not to sit still for more than 30 minutes.
- Your goal is to accumulate 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity, first 5 days a week, and then more often, increasing the load by 2 minutes daily.
- Remember that physical activity reduces the risk of colon cancer, osteoporosis, stroke, high blood pressure, cholesterol levels and excess body weight.
- Physical activity reduces the risk of death from recurrent myocardial infarction by approximately 25%