Following a heart attack in June and the fitting of two stents, I know would like to return to weight training.
Before the heart attack I weight trained most days and cycled 150 miles a week, ate a healthy diet and never smoked. So somewhat of a shock.
When did you get back to lifting weights? I am getting conflicting opinions.
Thanks in advance.
I would suggest you ask the rehab team. It is early days yet and you do not want to overdo it. Each of us is different and our heart conditions are different. Good advice for one may not be good advice for you.
Hi. Have you been to cardiac rehab yet? I would think it’s a bit soon yet. Other than very light weights .At rehab they will assess your performance and give you parameters for your heart rate. Also they will be able to answer any of your queries. Not sure if this helps at all!! Best wishes Zena
As others have said, get through rehab first. Take all the advice, listen AND learn. You will find that you improve steadily, but even when you complete rehab you will be a long way from full fitness. It is going to take time. You must be prepared for that and don't push yourself too hard. The rehab team will set you up with a suitable programme and you need to follow it. Take advice from those in the NHS who know your specific situation! And nobody else. It took me about nine months to get into good shape, and I didn't have a heart attack, just two stents.
Thanks for that. I had my cardio rehab assessment last week and he thought that due to my back ground as a fitness professional and nutritionist that the full rehab would not be for me and he recommended a once a week cardio circuit training.
Just wanted to lift weights again before I waste away.
I know we are all different and each case is unique, so I will get back in touch with the cardio team and take some guidance.
Even light weights would be better than nothing
Hi, good to hear you are being positive and looking forward to training again. Having been in this position earlier on this year I would say the number one thing is to listen to your body, slowly build up on your past experience but be very aware of over stressing things. If you do you can end up resting, frustrated for days. You have understand how your body is reacting to the meds as much as anything especially my bug bear the beta blocker bisoporol. All I can say build up slowly and it all nicely improves, ( taken me 6 months to get back to a reasonable normal level ), good luck
Likely the gym will require you to get a letter from your GP giving you the green light to go back to training. In a sensible world the rehab team should be able to do this but the rules do not allow!
I'm with you. Heart attack in April, but I've got Heart failure now, moderate, so no stents. I will need a new valve in there some time in the future. Before HA, I did weights 4/5 times a week. I trained to lift and beat myself, so heavy (for me). Did some cardio, rowing, treadmill, walking.
I have been told by my consultant absolutely no Olympic lifting above the shoulders, ever. Cleans/snatches cause BP to spike at anything up to 3 times normal during the lift. Likewise, no explosive lifting with weight that is so heavy it causes (a) potential lack of form, and/or (b) strain in the sense that you have to hold your breath to make the lift.
Otherwise, the advice to me is learn not only to listen to your body, but if you're competitive, make bloody sure you're hearing it too.
My fella has no doubt I could go back and start chucking big lumps about, but eventually I'll pop a rivet and do significant cardiac damage. He is all for training, but in my case more cardio in the mix, light weights, the guide being no more than 12 - 15 manageable reps in a set, and don't over fatigue. Also, put resistance bands, and body weight in the mix, and return to it very gradually.
I've had to try to re-calibrate it in my head, and am working to get to where I stop thinking I used to lift this and my PB was that. Clean slate, new PB's within the new limitations.
Given your background, it'd be interesting to know how you progress.
Take care of yourself
Gary
Hey Gary,
Well it’s 8 weeks since the stents and I am training most days. I have found it very hard to drop my weights but have managed it. Now tend to do a lot of supersets and do cardio between sets. I love it. Has shortened my gym time and although I have dropped a bit of size, I feel better for the change.
On days I do not go to the gym I ride my bike. Up to 30 miles now.
How are things with you? Training?
Regards
Neil
Hi Neil
Glad to hear your progressing so well.
I’m in good nick. Finished the hospital rehab, which I found physically unchallenging, but it was very useful in helping me to work out new parameters, and particularly my maximum bpm heart rate. Cardiologist has agreed I’m okay at 125 bpm, sustained for max of 35 - 40 minutes. That’s also kept the wife happy that I was being supervised. I’m now doing a lot of walking whilst weather still reasonable (I’m very sensitive to cold temperature now) and light mornings. Also some swimming, plus 2 circuit sessions a week. The circuits are very light db’s mixed in with rowing, and general cardio. It’s slow going but I’m making progress in terms of volume, stamina and weight used. Also, much more work about the house - we’ve got a small holding, so a fair bit of hidden resistance, carrying stuff, cutting wood, gardening etc. Will do more circuit stuff with weights when darker/colder mornings kick in.
My wife is keeping a bit of a lid on me - she’s a retired nurse, and making sure I take it slowly. I understand, but would like to crack on a bit more. But hey - you’re a long time dead, and it isn’t how I make a living, so perspective is important. Good functional fitness. Best walk so far just under 7 miles in a oner with 15 minutes for a cuppa, at 17mins 20 seconds per mile pace - it was pretty flat mind. Reckon I could do 10 without too much grief, but missus yet to be convinced!
All the best
Gary
Sounds great Gary. I did not do rehab as at the assessment he thought it would be to easy. I wanted to do it but was also complicated by the fact I spend half the year in France.
Although I am moving back next year as I don’t feel safe here anymore. Had my heart attack here and hospital said it was not my heart even though triponin was raised. Lost faith in French medical system.
So rehab I have been winging it. Walking, weights, sea swimming and Road biking.
Not sure if I am doing the right thing but feel ok.
So next year I will be in Norfolk and hope to find a support group. As talking to people like us helps.
Off to Porto tomorrow with my girlfriend or carer as she likes to be called now
Have a good weekend
Neil
Porto - nice. Have a good time
Hi
I would follow the advice of Gary (gmkilly) above who has said pretty much what I was going to write! My cardiac rehab sessions were conducted carrying increasing weights on many of the exercises but generally in the 2 to 10 kg range depending on the specific activity.
When I returned the the gym it was with pretty much the same advice Gary mentioned about overhead lifts and no breath holding and explosive efforts.
I am very reluctant to give direct advice, but in my uneducated opinion I have to say that you are considering this very early in the process. I really only returned to the gym after the conclusion of my 8 week, 16 session rehab and even then I returned very slowly and built over months rather than weeks.
I think the more physical we were before a HA the more difficult it is to accept the "new reality". Give yourself time.
All the best
I'm 5 months post op 5x bypass and found rehab very beneficial.Am now walking 3_5 miles per day.circuit training twice a week. A bit of cycling and swimming.If you used to work out you will know your own limitations.Do only compound exercises with light weights then increase reps weight very gradually.I want to start doing press ups again but physio is unsure anyone any input.
Luv Wayne xxx
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