Exercise limits

[Allyboy1973]

I'm 44 have had a heart attack at 40 a total of 5 stents 2 double heart bypasses within 18 months and 16 months symptom free have been walking etc but want to join the gym and do some Cardio work any advice on what my limits may be .

[stevejb1810]

There is all sorts of advice out there but I think the best one is ‘listen to your body ‘. It will tell you if you are over doing it. As for max heart rate, the advice I was given was 220-your age-30 (146 in your case)- I have assumed here that you are taking meds to control blood pressure/heart rate. Personally, I push it little more than that by about 10 bpm as I never felt I was doing enough otherwise. About 30-40 minutes 3 times a week is good, but don’t stop walking - no substitute for getting outside in fresh air😃

[Allyboy1973 in reply to stevejb1810]

Thanks for your reply I'm trying to find the happy medium between doing enough but not to much if that makes sense walking is brilliant I enjoy it . But feel I need more .

[rouluer]

Have your walks be at speed? Try walking again, during each walk build up pace over the same time. Use a fitness watch and during these walks monitor your heart rate. Once HR comes down after time then start with running either indoors or outdoors, I wouldn't start weights for while if you intend to this won't help or very little. Running same thing, monitor HR at speed and watch HR come down, then build distance and speed. Eat healthy veges, fruits and whole grains, this helps with your fitness a lot in regards to energy levels and recovery. Rowing machine for example doesn't real help a lot, I've always believed that outdoor/indoor running/swimming is the quickest way to lose weight and build fitness quickly with cycling also. You have to build heart strength and in order to so you have to build up on pace/speed and condition your body. Good luck I'm sure you'll do fine.

[Allyboy1973 in reply to rouluer]

Thank you for your reply I'm kind of at a crossroads I feel I can do more though scared in case I push myself to far .

[rouluer in reply to Allyboy1973]

pleasure, keep those HR 1-5 zones in tact that's the key and keep an eye on blood pressure, that way you don't over compromise. Good diet and good exercise makes life a lot easier I find.

[Philippa_BHF in reply to Allyboy1973]

HI Allyboy,

You have had a lot go on in the last few years. I was wondering if you had the opportunity to attend cardiac rehab after any of your events/procedures? It is really important that you exercise safely,but it's great that you want to push yourself. The others are giving you sage advice,but it may be worthwhile seeing if there are any local groups/classes for people who have had heart problems like yourself,but need that extra bit of support. These are usually run by exercise physiologists/trainers which I think you might find useful.

Hope that helps,

Take care,

Philippa

[Allyboy1973 in reply to Philippa_BHF]

Thank you for your reply .

I attended a cardiac rehab class on 3 occasions each time completing the course found I good and having a medical professional there puts you at ease . I'm continuing my walking and looking around for a class or similar with folk in the same position but have found most folk are a lot older than myself .

Thanks Alan .

[Bike4500]

Hello Allyboy. Personally I wouldn’t go to a gym in fact are would very careful what exercise you do. Foolishly of me, I thought I could eat rubbish and my body would just burn it off as I did so much exercise. Last year I cycle 4200 miles around the coastline of Britain and then had a heart attack. It turns out I was two stone over weight. I am no doctor. But think about it, we all have the same heart and if you look at the marathon runners that do it in the quickest time. They are all skinny. So my advice to you is get your body to the weight it should be with a balanced diet, then gradually introduce some exercise. I’ve lost one and a half stone in twelve weeks with slimming world and now I walk two miles a day. Just be very careful with exercising too much. We are only here once. Tony

[Allyboy1973 in reply to Bike4500]

Thank you for your reply . I am a bit overweight and trying to remedy this . I think I will just continue my walking which I enjoy and adjust my diet .

[roundthehorn]

The rehab department at your local hospital should be able to give you details of cardio fitness group(s) in your area. Keep on with the walking and exercise with guidance and in a safe area. Good luck.