Seven Tips to Be More Active When You Have Heart Issues

Here’s how to ease into exercise after a heart attack or if you have heart disease.

If you have any kind of heart issue or have experienced a heart-related event, such as a heart attack, you may feel uneasy about doing too much physical activity. But very often, being more active is one of the best things you can do to improve the health of your heart. The key to doing it safely is to talk with your doctor about what you can and cannot do and to ease into any new activity slowly.

There are many benefits to being more active when you have cardiovascular health issues. These tips can help you stay as safe as possible as you increase activity levels:

1. Talk to your doctor. Before you do any type of activity, talk to your doctor or other members of your healthcare team. Find out what activities are best for you to do and what you should avoid. Ask how much exercise is enough or too much. Also, make sure you know what warning signs to look out for that indicate it’s time to stop or seek medical attention.
2. Consider a cardiac rehab program. These programs are often recommended by doctors after a heart attack or other cardiovascular event. They help you increase physical activity under the watchful eyes of trained specialists who show you what to do and monitor your progress. They also provide suggestions about other ways to improve your health and spur your recovery, such as making heart-healthy recipes or finding ways to reduce stress.
3. Take it slowly. Ease into activity slowly. Start by doing low-intensity activities such as walking. Exercise at a pace that feels comfortable for you and only do it for a short time. As you start to feel more comfortable, you can gradually increase your intensity or spend more time exercising.
4. Be consistent. You’ll reap more benefits from exercise and will get used to increased activity levels quicker if you’re consistently active. Aim to move more most days of the week, even if it’s just for a little while. This is more effective than doing a lot of activity on just a couple of days a week. If you don’t stick with exercise, it doesn’t help much so find activities you enjoy doing.
5. Pay attention to your body. Exercising when you have heart problems can be scary and it’s important to pay attention to any signs that something may be wrong. If you experience fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness or chest pain, stop what you are doing and let your doctor know.
6. Track your progress. It can be overwhelming to exercise after having a heart-related scare. It can also feel like you’re never going to be able to do much. To overcome these feelings, keep track of what you do, as well as how you feel when you’re doing it, so you can see your progress. It’s also helpful to keep track of any symptoms or setbacks and to share them with your doctor.
7. Celebrate milestones. Being more active is often one of the best things you can do for your heart and your overall health. Take pride in what you are able to accomplish in improving your health and celebrate each victory as it comes.

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^{Date Last Reviewed: December 19, 2024}

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