Recovery following an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) is a crucial process to ensure that individuals who have experienced this event can return to their daily physical activities in the best possible state of health.
Exercising After a Heart Attack
In the past, people who had suffered a heart attack were advised not to exercise. However, numerous clinical trials have shown that engaging in light to moderate-intensity exercise, three to five days a week, not only improves the patient’s quality of life but also reduces the risk of having another heart attack and lowers overall morbidity and mortality.
If you or someone you know has suffered an acute myocardial infarction, it is important to follow the recommendation of undergoing a stress test before starting any type of exercise, notes Dr. Paulina del Regil, a rehabilitation specialist at Centro Médico ABC. This ensures that your heart is fit and that it is safe for you to engage in physical exertion.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Generally, a cardiac rehabilitation program lasts between 8 and 12 weeks. While one might think that exercising during this period creates a permanent lifestyle change, the reality is that if you do not stay active, your body will lose all the benefits gained from the rehabilitation program within one to three months.
"This is why treatment adherence is so essential—so that you remain consistent with these exercises and this rehabilitation plan over the medium to long term," highlights Dr. del Regil.
Follow-up care with your cardiac rehabilitation specialist is vital. This allows your doctor to guide your progression so your training can incorporate different variations, making it more engaging and enjoyable over time.
Exercises to Prevent Heart Attacks
The most recommended type of exercise for these situations is aerobic training. You can use a treadmill, a recumbent bike with a cycle ergometer, take a 30-minute walk, or even perform calisthenics within a bodyweight-only strengthening program.
Dr. del Regil notes that one crucial factor to keep in mind when exercising after a heart attack is to avoid overtraining—meaning you must ensure you do not overexert yourself so as not to affect the heart counterproductively.
"A subjective way to measure our level of effort is through the Borg scale," the expert points out. This scale allows us to quickly assess our rate of perceived exertion. To apply it simply: you should be able to carry on a conversation without catching your breath. If you start gasping for air, the exertion level is too high.
At the Cardiovascular Center at Centro Médico ABC, we provide specialized care. Contact us today!
