Life right after a heart attack is a pretty scary time. We feel vulnerable and scared and know that we need to make some major life changes so as to reduce the chances of this happening again. One of the most important things we can do to keep our hearts healthy is to change our diet – this is often the first thing that your doctor will recommend when they determine you are at risk for heart disease, or after you’ve had a heart attack. However, as important as diet is, it is not enough.

 

Exercise has to play a primary role in how you self-care after a heart attack. This does not mean vigorous hours in the gym, but rather a reasonable, low-impact exercise regimen that will get your heart pumping, keep your heart healthy, and help to improve your overall health and wellness. It cannot be overstated just how important exercise is, whether you are simply at a high risk, or you’ve already suffered a heart attack.

 

Walking is actually one of the best ways to get in that much-needed exercise after a heart attack. You want to actually get your heart rate up, but you don’t want to push yourself or put undue strain on your heart. You will have to learn your limits. When you start your walk, start out slowly and increase your pace steadily over a period of a few minutes. As a general rule, you should be quickly walking in such a way as to increase your rate of breathing, but not so much that you can’t still carry on a conversation without running out of breath.

 

You will want to walk in ten-minute increments, and it is really important that you have a little cool down after the brisk pace to help reduce your likelihood of post-exercise injury. A slow walk for a couple minutes after your walk is all you need to cool down the body.

 

It is natural to be fearful and confused after a heart attack. There is a lot about your life that will need to be addressed and changed. From diet to exercise, you will have to be a lot more cognizant about what you put in your body and how you treat it. Exercise is often left out of many treatment plans, but this is not a good idea. Light physical activity a few days a week is an excellent way to keep your heart healthy and reduce your chances of further heart issues, as well as to promote overall health and wellness.

 

If you live in the Tampa Bay area and are looking for a great cardiology team, please call us at 813-975-2800. Patient comfort and care are a priority here at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates. We look forward to talking with you. www.tampacardio.com.