Cardiac rehabilitation

Beginning slowly at home

Walk for the health of your heart
As soon as you are physically able, beginning a walking program may be an important part of your recovery. Before you begin, however, talk with your doctor about any special limitations or advice he or she might have for your specific condition. Exercise will help you lose weight, reduce stress and strengthen and tone your muscles. Wait 30 to 60 minutes after eating or drinking alcohol before beginning any activity.

• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Walk on flat surfaces.
• When it is very windy, hot, cold or humid, walk around a large store or indoor shopping mall rather than outside.
• Slowly increase your distance starting with two- to five-minute walks three times a day during your first week home. Increase your activity to 15-minute walks, adding one to five minutes each day during the second week. Increase the distance gradually until you are walking at least one mile or 30 minutes, three to five times each week.
• Walk at a comfortable, constant pace.
• Avoid slowing your pace or stopping since this slows your heart rate unless you experience any of the following warning signs:
  • Unusual fatigue or weakness
  • Palpitations or rapid heart beat
  • Irregular heart beat
  • Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
  • Shortness of breath

Activities to avoid:

• Any type of straining such as opening a swollen window or heavy door or removing a tight lid from a jar.
• Straining while having a bowel movement or urinating.
• Pushing or pulling heavy objects.

During the next four weeks, do not:

• Vacuum
• Mow the lawn, shovel, rake or dig
• Lift objects heavier than 10 to 15 pounds, including laundry, a small child or groceries
• Walk a leashed animal

Talk to your doctor about when you may resume hobbies such as playing golf, fishing, swimming or bowling and about whether you should attend a cardiac rehab program. You will need a referral from your physician to begin a formal program of cardiac rehabilitation.

• YNHH Health Library: Cardiac Rehabilitation

Next page: Area cardiac rehab programs

Cardiac Services home page

Last revised: May 23, 2007 (dh)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

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