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Is It Safe to Exercise When You Have a Heart Disease?

Exercising is good for overall health and many research studies have conclusively proven that exercising also improves the heart health. It is suggested that physical activity helps you live longer and reduces the risk of dying from heart disease. Fortunately, there are some good exercises you can do even if you have a cardiac ailment.

Exercise and Heart

Regular exercise is one of the healthiest habits and the best thing to do to improve heart health. At the time of exercising, heart rate goes up and more blood is pumped into the body. This improves overall strength and fitness, and even makes the heart muscles stronger. Apart from this, cardio workout aids in weight loss and control the blood pressure levels.

The Role of Cardiac Rehab

A cardiac rehabilitation program teaches about how to make lifestyle changes so as to improve overall heart health and reduce risk of future heart problems. In case if you have had a heart disease, then this program teaches you about how to safely become more active. A cardiac rehab team may include:

● Cardiologist

● Nurse

● Exercise professional

● Dietician

● Psychologist

On enrolling for a cardiac rehab program, an exercise schedule is specially designed with an aim to strengthen heart muscles and repair the damaged components, if any. However, always consult your physician before starting any new physical activity program.

Just Starting to Exercise?

If you are a heart patient and are just starting to exercise, then it is easy to start with walking. Walking is highly beneficial and is also the first step towards exercising. It can be done anytime, anywhere and it doesn’t put any extra stress on the body. One must start slowly, depending on their health conditions and gradually increase the duration.

A Routine that Fits Your Needs

Depending on heart condition and its severity, the care provider will sharebest cardiac rehab plan which may either have only 1 exercise or a whole set of cardio routines. The FITT routine works in most cases and is prescribed by doctors globally. FITT stands for:

● F stands for frequency which is how often

● I stand for intensity which is how hard

● T stands for time which is how long

● T stands for type which means what kind of exercise

Listen to Your Body

Always remember that one must listen to their body and never over-exert. Below listed are signs which can help you decide if the way you feel is normal or not.

During exercise it is NORMAL to feel:

• Comfortable

• Aware of your own breathing, but not out of breath

• Slightly tired

• Dry or slightly sweaty

• Relaxed

During exercise it is NOT NORMAL to feel:

• Chest pain (angina)

• Dizzy or sick to your stomach

• Short of breath, gasping

• Very rapid or pounding heartbeat

• Very sweaty or cold and clammy

• Tense and nervous

One must not ignore these signs and must immediately consult their physician

Conclusion

Exercising is very important to improve heart health, even for heart patients. These exercises should be practiced regularly,however, one must be careful and should follow doctor’s instructions at all times.

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your Doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

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Published on September 15, 2022