What are the exercises for after open heart surgery in your opinion? In this article from humanhealthmag, we want to answer this question. Just as exercises for elderly with arthritis are specific to them and do not cause any problems in these people, cardiac patients also have their own exercise exercises. In general, care after heart surgery is aimed at reducing the risk factors of heart diseases. One of the components of cardiac rehabilitation is exercise. Regular exercise leads to improved overall cardiovascular health. Exercise should be done in patients undergoing exercise test after surgery.
Almost any disease can safely exercise after surgery, but the severity and duration of it are different according to the severity of the heart disease. In this article, we mention some exercise programs that can be done at home. Performing these home exercises will speed up the process of recovery and return to daily life after surgery.
Important Points Of Exercises for After Open Heart Surgery
In performing exercises for after open heart surgery, you should pay attention to several important points. In general Your doctor will tell you what exercise is best for you. Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise program. Also, before doing a more strenuous activity, ask if it will interfere with your heart condition. Aerobic activity uses your heart and lungs for a long time. It also helps your heart use oxygen better and improves blood flow. Start exercising slowly.
Choose an aerobic activity such as walking, swimming, jogging or cycling. Do this at least 3 to 4 times a week. Always stretch or move for 5 minutes before exercise to warm up your muscles and heart. Take time to cool down after exercise. Do the same activity but at a slower pace. Take a break before you get too tired. Stop exercising if you feel tired or have heart symptoms.
In warm weather, exercise in the morning or evening. Be careful not to wear layers of clothing. You can also go for a walk to an indoor mall. When the weather is cold, cover your nose and mouth when exercising outdoors. If it’s too cold or snowy, go to an indoor facility to exercise outside. Ask your doctor if it is okay to exercise in sub-zero temperatures.
All Kinds Of Exercises for After Open Heart Surgery
Heart disease and failure can cause serious exhaustion in people. Exercise is essential for heart patients because it can keep the heart muscles healthy. Doctors also believe that exercise can help heart patients live longer. So, if you have a heart disease, don’t worry about a healthy lifestyle anymore. Regular exercise will help you eliminate all the negative aspects of your disease and live a longer and healthier life. The list below discusses some of the exercises and the most effective exercises for after open heart surgery at home for heart patients. These sports are as follows:
- Aerobic exercise: Cardiac patients are often advised to do aerobic exercise. Doctors recommend activities such as brisk walking, swimming, running, cycling, jumping rope, and playing tennis. These exercises can improve blood circulation, which helps lower blood pressure and heart rate.
- Swimming: Are you worried that you won’t be able to swim after a heart attack? Worry no more, as doctors recommend swimming as an ideal aerobic exercise for heart patients that effectively increases the overall fitness level of the human body and energy. It can be used as an alternative to walking when the weather is bad.
- Stretching: Stretching and flexibility is one of the best exercises to exercise for heart patients. Doctors usually suggest doing essential stretching exercises at home. You can also find suitable YouTube videos and use them for stretching exercises. It will be very useful if you do this stretch every day before starting exercise. The main goal of this exercise is to prevent joint pain and relieve muscle stiffness.
- Walking and running: Walking is one of the most common exercises for heart patients. Doctors always recommend regular walking which is free and simple. At first, heart patients should consider shorter walks and gradually increase them. Jogging or jogging is not possible immediately after a heart attack. However, after a significant period, the doctor may prescribe regular jogging and then increase it. Walking and running are effective ways to build endurance and relieve cardiac stress.
Example Of An Exercise Program for Heart Patients
For many people, it is easy to start exercising with walking. Below is an example of a walking program. For example, you should walk down the hall, walk the length of your way to work, walk through the mall, walk a block for 10 minutes. Remember to walk slowly. The program of exercises for after open heart surgery is as follows:
Week 1
- Every two days
- Warm up: 5 minutes of easy walking
- Duration of exercise: 10 minutes of walking at a slow speed
- Cool down: 5 minutes of easy walking
Week 2
- Every two days
- Warm up: 5 minutes of easy walking
- Training period: 10 minutes of walking at a faster pace
- Cool down: 5 minutes of easy walking
Week 3
- 4 times a week
- Warm up: 5 minutes of easy walking
- Training period: 15 minutes of walking at a faster pace
- Cool down: 5 minutes of easy walking and stretching
Week 4
- 4 times a week
- Warm up: 5 minutes of easy walking
- Training period: 20 minutes of walking at a faster pace
- Cool down: 5 minutes of easy walking and stretching
Week 5 and 6
- At least 5 days a week
- Warm up: 10 minutes of easy walking
- Training period: 25 to 30 minutes of walking at a faster pace. Begin to open and close the arm or rotate the arms. Go up gentle hills, lean forward a bit
- Cool down: 5 minutes of easy walking and stretching for each walk
Some Exercises For After Open Heart Surgery At Home
In this section, we introduce some exercises for after open heart surgery. These movements include the following:
- Dance with music: Dancing to happy music can burn calories, which is why many people may find it a very enjoyable exercise.
- Wiper movement: One should do this exercise in a lying position, which affects the abdominal muscles, chest and shoulders. To perform this movement, lie on your back and place your feet flat on the floor. Bend the pelvis slightly so that the lower back is on the floor. Open your arms. Bend the hands slightly towards the ears. Slowly move the hands towards the head so that they touch each other. Lower the arms to the starting position and repeat.
- Air Squat: Air squat works on thigh muscles, hamstrings, quadriceps and buttocks. Because good balance is required, this move is a great way to engage the core muscles. To perform: Place your feet shoulder-width apart and walk forward. When squatting, the hips move down and back. The back curve should be maintained and the heels should remain flat on the floor at all times. In the air squat movement, the hips are lower than the knees.
- Stair climbing: Anyone can do some form of exercise by going up and down the stairs a few times. Going up and down the stairs with increasing speed can challenge the cardiovascular system and leg muscles.
Concluding Remarks
In this article, we talked about exercises for after open heart surgery. In general, your heart is the most important muscle in your body and it needs exercise just like any other body organ. You should exercise even when you have heart failure. In most cases, light to moderate exercise will not make your condition worse. These sports are not only safe but also the best medicine for the heart. Exercise regulates your heart rate, opens up your blood vessels and improves the way your heart works. Remember to consult your doctor before any kind of sports activity.
FAQs
What Should Heart Patients Pay Attention To While Exercising?
Always try to stretch or move for 5 minutes before exercising to warm up your muscles and heart. Rest when you feel tired. If you feel heart palpitations or pain, stop exercising. Also, avoid heavy and forbidden sports for heart patients.
What Sports Are Prohibited for Heart Patients?
Heavy sports that cause tension and heart pressure are prohibited for heart patients. These sports include things like weight lifting, sprinting, football and volleyball.
Can Heart Patients Lift Weights?
It is better for heart patients to avoid sports that put pressure on the heart and hold the breath, including heavy lifting. Such sports may endanger the health of a person with heart disease.