Physical Activity

Regular physical activity can benefit all people with heart disease or other heart conditions. 

For example, if you have had;

• A heart attack
• Heart surgery
• A coronary angioplasty
• An ICD or pacemaker fitted

Are having treatment for a heart condition such as:

• Stable angina
• Arrhythmia
• Heart Valve Disease
• Cardiomyopathy
• Congenital Heart Disease.

Or currently have stable heart failure.

Getting Active Again after Being in Hospital

Medically-supervised cardiac rehabilitation programmes which include exercise sessions are available to most patients following discharge from hospital. This is a great opportunity to start back into appropriate and safe physical activity.  If a cardiac rehabilitation programme isn’t available to you, try the following:

• Aim to do a little bit of activity each day, 5 minute slots is fine to start with
• Gradually build up the length and time
• At first it may seem tiring but this is normal and your strength and confidence will return
• Walking on a flat surface, is an ideal form of exercise to start with
• Continue so that you are doing 30 minutes of low to moderate continuous activity a day, (which you can divide up into two or three lots of 10-15 minutes) most days of the week.
• Physical activity can also include everyday things like gardening, washing the car, walking up stairs etc
• Talk to your cardiac rehabilitation nurse or doctor about what type and level of activity is suitable for you. 

Or ask your doctor or nurse for a Green Prescription.

Staying Active

Regular aerobic physical activity using the large muscle groups (walking, swimming, cycling or aerobic exercise) is part of the long term treatment for people with heart disease. 

Regular Physical Activity can:

• Improve symptoms
• Improve the ability to do daily tasks
• Increase feelings of well-being.

Reduce specific risk factors such as:

• Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol
• Controlling blood sugars
• Managing weight.

Physical Activity can help reduce the chances of further heart events and slow the progression of heart disease. 

Staying Safe

The benefits of physical activity far outweigh the risks if you follow some simple guidelines:

• Before starting any exercise programme get a medical clearance from your doctor
• Carry your GTN spray or angina tablets with you at all times
• Always warm-up and cool-down gently for at least 10 minutes to warm muscles and joints and prevent heart complications
• Start at a low intensity
• Increase activity gradually to moderate intensity over time
• Drink plenty of water
• Wear suitable and comfortable clothing and shoes
• Consider any other medical or physical limitations you may have; arthritis, diabetes etc.
• If using weights, exercise machines or equipment make sure they are set up correctly and you have been instructed in their safe and correct use
• To check you are exercising at the right intensity use the talk test, ie; you should be able to talk in sentences though be a bit breathless.  If conversation is an effort you are probably exercising too hard. 

When you are exercising, make sure you:

• Don’t exercise vigorously, unless you have a specific clearance from your doctor
  Vigorous activity is not necessary to gain health and heart benefits
• Don’t lift or push things that are very heavy
• Don’t exercise when you are unwell, have an infection or are experiencing any symptoms
• Don’t exercise straight after a heavy meal.

STOP the activity and rest if you feel any symptoms:

• Chest discomfort or pain
• Breathless on minimal exertion
• Excessive sweating
• Clammy skin
• Faint
• Nauseous
• Rapid or weak pulse
• Any other pain or significant discomfort.

Have you or someone in your family had chest pain?

Follow our action plan to see what you should do.