Friday 23 December 2016

| Dr. Jose Poulose | Heart Surgery | Six Important Tips for Exercising After an Angioplasty | Jose Poulose |

After a heart attack, angioplasty or heart surgery, many peoples think they should ignore exercise to prevent putting too much stress on their heart. In reality, the opposite is true. Regular physical activity can help strength your heart muscles. It can also decrease your risk for heart disease and control problems that can cause heart disease problems, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity.



People with heart conditions who exercise daily and make heart healthy changes and live longer than those who do not. After a Heart Surgery or angioplasty, get moving very soon as your doctor says it is okay. These 6 tips can help you do it safely.

1. Start slow

If you are recovering from heart surgery, start slow. With time, as your health improves and increase your level of daily activity. For instance, start with walking at a step that is comfortable for you. Slowly increase the time and make distance each time you walk.

2. Aim for 2.4 hours of moderate intensity physical activity per week.

That is the American Heart Association  recommended daily exercise. Examples of moderate-intensity activities include cycling, walking, rowing, and climbing stairs.

3. Follow a well rounded program.

In addition to aerobic exercises and add muscle-strengthening activities two-three days per week. This will help you build a stronger, comfortable, healthier body. Strengthening exercises include lifting hand weights or free weights, using a weight machine, and using elastic bands that provide resistance.

4. Sprinkle exercise throughout your day.

Growing your physical activity is about more than daily workout, It is about living a more active lifestyle. Look for many opportunities throughout your day to be more active. This may mean parking farther away from buildings, taking the stairs instead of the elevator and  fitting in a 16-minute walk during your lunch break.

5. Find an activity you enjoy.

The best exercise is whatever kind you will do. You are more likely to stick with an exercise program if you enjoy doing it. Discuss with your personal doctor what is safe for you, then experiment with different activities until you find those you look forward to most.