Exercise is important in fighting heart disease. Exercise delays heart disease. Active people have a better chance of surviving a heart attack.
An exercise programme ordered by a doctor will help you:
If you are a diabetic, reduce the amount of insulin you need
- Keep your weight down.
- Regulate your appetite.
- Lower your cholesterol.
- Improve your muscle tone.
- Improve your blood pressure.
- Relax.
- Sleep better.
- Avoid blood clots (thrombophlebitis).
- Feel better about yourself.
- If you are a diabetic, reduce the amount of insulin you need.
After a heart attack or surgery, your exercise consultant may order a step-by-step exercise plan that involves steady movement of large muscles, such as Cycling, swimming, walking and strength training. For your exercise programme to work, you need to exercise 3 to 5 times a week. You must start slowly and build up to 30 minutes for each session.
Always follow the individual exercise and activity prescription given to you. Never take advice from your visitors or magazines
Taking your pulse: Taking your pulse means counting how many times your heart beats in a minute. Your doctor may order medicine for your heart problem, which may change your pulse, so you need to know how to take your pulse
To take your pulse:
1. Find your pulse on the thumb side of your wrist. Use your fingertips to find it. Do not use your thumb to feel your pulse.
2. Each gentle throb you feel is a heartbeat. Count the number of heartbeats for 30 seconds. Multiply that number by
2. This is your pulse.
While counting, notice if your heartbeat is regular or not.
Example: 36 heartbeats in 30 seconds x 2 =72 heartbeats in a minute. Your pulse is 72.
Call your doctor, if your pulse is:
Less than 40 beats in a minute.
Greater than 150 beats in a minute.
Irregular and it never has been before
Do not exercise, when:
1. After eating a meal. (Wait at least one hour).
2. After drinking alcohol.
3. When you are upset.
Stop exercising right away if you have chest pain, are short of breath, or are very tired.
Walking Guidelines for Post-Hospitalization Recovery
1. Walking is an excellent form of exercise and is natural for humans. It provides
additional exercise beyond what you do at home or in your yard.
2. Start your walking program the day after returning home from the hospital.
3. Walk at a casual pace, as advised by your exercise consultant.
4. Aim to walk once or twice a day, depending on how you feel. Pay attention to your
body’s signals.
5. Choose level routes for walking and avoid hills or slopes.
6. Walk during the mildest part of the day and avoid extreme hot or cold temperatures
or bad weather.
7. During extreme weather, consider indoor alternatives like walking on the spot or using
a static cycling machine as advised.
8. Schedule your walks at a time when you are relaxed and your work won’t be interrupted.
9. If your physician has prescribed nitroglycerin, take it with you during your walk.
10. Monitor your heart rate during walks. If it exceeds the target rate or increases by 20
to 30 beats above your resting heart rate, slow down or shorten your walks in
the future.
11. If you experience symptoms such as dizziness or shortness of breath during your
walk, stop and rest. Contact your doctor if needed, or ask a family member or
friend to drive you home.
12. Follow
these guidelines to ensure a safe and effective recovery through walking
exercise.
Your personalized exercise programme can be planned by our experts.
Warning signs
Chest pain/ discomfort or pressure
Pain in your jaw, teeth or arm
Light-headedness or dizziness, excess fatigue
Irregular heartbeat
Nausea and or joint or muscle pain
Contact your nearest – Medical attendant / doctor/ Hospital / 108