When the plaques begin to block blood flow to the heart, the risk of chest pain, heart attack, and other cardiovascular problems increases. An angioplasty procedure improves blood flow, but after the procedure it is essential to commit to a heart-healthy lifestyle; physical activity typically plays an important role in long-term recovery. Be smart and confident when it comes to deciding the type, intensity, and amount of exercise to do so your body can heal and prevent future heart problems.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Exercise immediately after Angioplasty
Step 1. Get your doctor's clearance
The period immediately following the intervention foresees a specific protocol of exercises; always respect the doctor's instructions to the letter.
- When you can leave the hospital, the surgeon gives you instructions, gives you the discharge letter, and explains exactly what kind of physical activity you can do and which not.
- Make sure you understand his directions perfectly and carefully reread what he wrote on the letter; ask him any questions and doubts you may have to get clarification.
- Also ask him when you can get written or verbal permission for physical activity; it is good to have a rough idea of how long you have to wait.
- Once cleared, you can proceed with most aerobics and resistance exercises.
Step 2. Rest at least a day or two after surgery
Although this is not a particularly invasive cardiac procedure, it often requires hospitalization for one night and a rest period.
- Each surgeon's approach is typically slightly different, but most ask the patient not to engage in various activities for a couple of days.
- This means you don't have to lift heavy loads, do aerobic exercise, or any other work that causes your heart rate to increase significantly.
- In most cases, you can carry out normal daily chores, but be careful lifting heavy shopping bags, cleaning, gardening, or other strenuous tasks.
Step 3. Discuss the benefits of a cardiac rehabilitation program with your cardiologist
After a few days off, consider signing up for or starting one of these programs, but don't forget to talk to your family doctor or cardiologist.
- This is a rehabilitation program designed specifically for patients who have or have had heart problems (such as a heart attack or angioplasty).
- It is a good solution for patients who had severe obstruction, who have suffered from cardiac events in the past (angina or heart attack) and who are currently not in good physical shape.
- The purpose of this program is to teach you to train safely and develop good aerobic endurance over time.
- The course provides a personal trainer and a cardiologist who monitors general health and heart conditions during the activity; moreover, this type of therapy is often covered by the National Health Service or by private insurance policies.
Step 4. First, start with an active lifestyle
If you have decided not to follow a cardiac rehabilitation program, you can exercise alone and a good way to start is to "liven up" your everyday life.
- Daily (or basic) activities are all those that are part of the daily routine and that force you to move.
- Some examples are climbing stairs, parking farther away, grocery shopping, gardening, and all other tasks that involve movement and an increase in heart rate.
- When you come home after an angioplasty, you probably need to limit your activity level in general; instead of starting with a structured training program, start developing good endurance by doing these chores.
- Commit to walking more, staying up for longer, or just moving more often. in this way, you increase the basic endurance and the level of fitness that you can achieve in the future.
Step 5. Ask a friend or relative to come with you
The safest and smartest solution to starting physical activity is to have a colleague or family member accompany you.
- Generally speaking, most patients who have undergone angioplasty can train and feel good during physical activity.
- However, it is worth having someone with you in case you experience dizziness, vertigo or chest pain.
- Also, don't stray too far from your home or office; try to stay inside the block and take your cell phone with you.
Part 2 of 3: Finding a Safe Long-Term Routine
Step 1. Aim for aerobic activity for 150 minutes per week
This is the advice given by most doctors; as long as you have permission from the cardiologist, you should respect this indication even after undergoing angioplasty.
- You don't have to hit the 150-minute goal immediately, you may only be able to do it after a few weeks or months of cardiac rehabilitation.
- It is recommended that you perform moderate intensity aerobic training; patients who followed this suggestion experienced fewer subsequent hospitalizations and experienced fewer symptoms over the long term than individuals who did not.
- Try activities such as walking, slow jogging, swimming, cycling, dancing, or hiking.
Step 2. Enter two or three weekly strength exercise sessions
Once you are comfortable with aerobic activity, you can start doing some weight lifting to complement your cardiovascular workout.
- Doctors advise healthy adults and those with heart problems to devote two to three days to strength and endurance exercise, but avoid engaging the same muscle groups for two consecutive days.
- Try to work out for 20 minutes in total; organizes a series of activities that involve the major muscle groups.
- Remember that if you experience or have experienced chest pain, weight lifting exercises above head level (such as shoulder presses) can cause this discomfort or feeling of chest tightness; therefore avoid this kind of movements if they are annoying or trigger symptoms.
Step 3. Be aware of extreme weather conditions
Although most physical activity is completely safe for a person who has had angioplasty, some doctors recommend staying indoors when the weather is hostile.
- Certain weather conditions, such as scorching heat or intense cold, can trigger ailments, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing or chest tightness.
- When the outside temperature is below -6 ° C, it is recommended to train or exercise indoors.
- Likewise, do not go out when the humidity is above 75% or the temperature is above 26 ° C.
- Check the weather forecast; take note of hot or cold days and plan to stay safe at home.
Step 4. Pay attention to side effects or symptoms during exercise
Usually, angioplasty relieves heart-related discomforts (such as chest pain); however, you should always monitor physical sensations during and after training. Stop the activity immediately and call your cardiologist if you complain:
- Chest pain;
- Thoracic constriction;
- Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
- Dyspnea;
- Vertigo and dizziness;
- Palpitations;
- Discomfort in the jaw, arm, shoulder, back, or abdomen
- Nausea.
Step 5. Get regular medical checks
After the surgery you have to go to the doctor quite often; this is an important aspect of recovery that also allows you to communicate your progress to the cardiologist.
- If you want to increase the level of training by increasing the intensity or duration of the sessions, call the doctor and discuss with him.
- If you are having difficulty improving athletic skills, consult your cardiologist for further advice.
- Finally, you should also contact him when you complain of any side effects, symptoms or other ailments.
Part 3 of 3: Inserting Safe Exercises after Angioplasty
Step 1. Begin the session with a warm-up and end with a cool-down phase
They represent the two fundamental moments of the exercise routine and you cannot neglect them after undergoing an angioplasty.
- While they are not specific exercises, they are a unique component of safe training following any heart procedure.
- The warm-up should last 5-10 minutes, choose a very low intensity and low impact activity that is the "light" version of the exercise you are about to do; for example, walk slowly on the treadmill before jogging.
- The goal of the warm-up is to slowly increase your heart rate, prepare and loosen your muscles so that they can engage throughout their range of motion.
- The cooling phase is very similar to the heating phase; it should last about 5-10 minutes, have a reduced intensity and a slow pace. Again, a walk is fine.
- The cool-down allows the heart rate and blood pressure to return to normal levels without abruptly stopping physical activity.
Step 2. Try to walk for half an hour most days of the week
This is a very safe exercise and is often recommended by doctors; it is also perfect for patients recovering from angioplasty.
- Studies have shown that the best exercise to start with is walking; try to walk for 30 minutes most days of the week.
- If you are currently unable to do this, you should set this as your first fitness goal.
- Since this is a low-intensity, low-impact exercise, you can do it almost always during the week, if not every day.
Step 3. Try other types of aerobic sports, such as jogging, cycling, or swimming
If you can already walk for 30 minutes and want to try other types of exercises, here are some suggestions:
- Jogging: although it may seem like an exercise that increases the heart rate excessively, it is a cardiovascular activity that you can get to carry out over time; jogging burns more calories than running and strengthens your heart, all of which improve your aerobic abilities.
- Swimming: it is another perfect cardiovascular sport that involves the whole body without burdening the joints; you can adjust the intensity level, as well as the fact that the water cools the body while keeping the heart rate under control.
- Cycling: If you don't like running, try this activity which is low impact like swimming and allows you to reduce the intensity as needed.
Step 4. Practice yoga
Since strength training is a perfect complement to cardiovascular training, you need to find ways to do it. Yoga is a good low-impact solution because it develops muscle strength without increasing your heart rate.
- This is a perfect practice to take after experiencing any health problem, especially after a heart procedure such as angioplasty.
- The great advantage of yoga is that it combines strength training with breathing techniques, promoting relaxation and calm, both of which are important after heart surgery.
- Try to take a yoga class once or twice a week with 45-60 minute sessions; if you've never practiced it before, sign up for a beginner's course so you can keep your heart rate low.
Advice
- After undergoing an angioplasty you should always undergo a full medical evaluation before starting any type of physical activity, regardless of your fitness level or athletic abilities.
- Proceed calmly after the surgery; it takes some time to get back to a good routine.
- Remember that exercise is good for the heart; therefore, even if you don't feel like it, a light activity such as a simple walk improves cardiovascular health.
