Workout Tips for Heart Patients
By: Robert NamTotal Views: 407, Word Count: 566,
If you have a loved one who is a heart patient or had heart surgery, the doctor will surely suggest you to let that patient do some exercise that can keep the condition under control. In this article, workout tips for heart patients have been mentioned that can try to get back the patient’s life to normal. Regular exercise can surely strengthen the heart and improve the function of cardiovascular and respiratory system, along with your metabolism and brain. And as a result, proper workout can definitely help the patient live longer life.
The work out plan for heart patients depends on factors like:
- Physical condition
- Presence of any complications from illness or surgery
- Personal likes and dislikes
- Recovery process stage
- Medications and level of activity on the job
Workout Tips for Heart Patients
- Ensure that any exercise is balanced with rest especially for heart patients
- Consult with the doctor whether to avoid isometric exercises like push-ups or sit-ups. Isometric exercises include muscle straining against immovable object.
- Don't let the heart patient go for workout outdoors if it is too cold or humid. High humidity can make the patient tire more. Extreme temperatures can make breathing difficult, and cause chest pain. Better options can be indoor activities like mall walking.
- Ensure that during the workout plan, the patient always remains hydrated. It is necessary to drink water even before you feel thirsty, especially on hot days.
- Extremely hot showers or sauna baths must be avoided after workout. These extreme temperatures can increase the workload on the heart.
- Stretching the legs and arms before or after exercising can help the muscles prepare for the activity and prevent injury or strain. Regular stretching increases motion and flexibility.
- Cardiovascular exercises can strengthen the heart and lungs and improve the body's ability to use oxygen. Aerobic exercise can be advantageous for the heart patients. Aerobic exercise also decreases the heart rate and blood pressure and improves breathing.
- It is advisable for the people with heart problems to avoid strengthening exercises. New medications greatly affect your response to work out; your doctor can suggest you if your normal workout plan is still safe.
- Ensure that pushing or lifting heavy objects like raking, mowing, shoveling or scrubbing aren't off limits. Chores around the house can be very tiring for heart patients. Get the approval of doctors if you want to include weight machine, jogs, or swimming in your workout plan.
The cardiac rehabilitation program also includes beginner workout program that helps the patients to get back to active life again. It helps in building the heart patient’s fitness level slowly and improving their health. It is the best option to make the workout program implemented by a qualified health care expert.
To get maximum benefits, following the workout tips for heart patients can be very helpful. Another tip is to perform aerobic session that lasts for at least 20 minutes, for four times a week. Apart from this, exercising every other day can make the heart patient get back to normal life.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Nam is a well known heart specialist and has done postgraduate training in cardiology at the national heart hospital, the London chest hospital and UCL hospital, London. He was also engaged in research at the national heart and lung institute. Nowadays he is working as a consultant cardiologist at UCL hospital, London.
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