Exercise for Heart Patients: Walking or Cardio?

Exercise after heart surgery or heart disease is one of the topics our patients are both most curious and most apprehensive about. In this article I will explain our approach to safe exercise.

What Is a Safe Heart Rate Range?

The safe target heart rate range during exercise is individualized according to your age, your cardiac function and the medications you take (particularly beta-blockers, which slow the pulse); for this reason, in cardiac rehabilitation programs this range is set according to the results of an exercise stress test. As a general rule, being comfortable enough to talk while exercising is a sign of a safe intensity.

How Many Days a Week Should You Walk?

The safest and most widely recommended form of exercise for heart patients is regular brisk walking; we recommend a program increased gradually after surgery, aiming for at least 5 days a week and 30 minutes a day. In our patients who take part in a cardiac rehabilitation program, we observe that both exercise capacity and overall quality of life recover faster.

Is Lifting Weights Dangerous?

For the first 6-8 weeks after open heart surgery, until the breastbone has fully healed, we recommend that you avoid lifting heavy loads (generally more than 4-5 kilograms). Once this period is over, a gradual strengthening program starting with light weights can safely be added with your doctor’s approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start exercising immediately after surgery? Yes, we usually begin light walking while you are still in hospital; intensive exercise requires a cardiac rehabilitation program and your doctor’s approval.

What should I do if I feel chest pain while exercising? We recommend that you stop exercising immediately and be assessed urgently if the pain continues or is severe.

Is a cardiac rehabilitation program essential? Although it is not compulsory, it is the most structured way to build a safe and effective exercise program; we strongly recommend taking part.

Conclusion

Regular, gradual exercise at the right intensity is both safe and extremely beneficial for heart patients. Walking is the safest and most sustainable starting point for most patients.

You can book an appointment so that we can build a safe exercise program tailored to you.

References

1. Anderson L, Thompson DR, Oldridge N, et al. Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation for Coronary Heart Disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;2016(1):CD001800.
2. Engelman DT, Ben Ali W, Williams JB, et al. Guidelines for Perioperative Care in Cardiac Surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society Recommendations. JAMA Surg. 2019;154(8):755-766.