Am I doing enough: I am five weeks... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Am I doing enough

Picass profile image
13 Replies

I am five weeks after having a heart attack and four weeks from having stents fitted.Could you tell me what I should be physically capable of by now please.thanks

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Picass profile image
Picass
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13 Replies
skid112 profile image
skid112Heart Star

Hi Picass,

Some walking, build up slowly and stop to smell the roses. Five weeks is pretty short, hopefully you'll be invited to a cardiac rehab class soon, that will give you s better idea of what you can and can't do.

Good luck

Mark

Picass profile image
Picass in reply to skid112

How much walking should I be doing

skid112 profile image
skid112Heart Star in reply to Picass

As much as you feel able to, will depend very much on your previous fitness levels. If you get breathless stop, or slow down. If you feel pain or faint, stop. Now isn't the time to over exert yourself, plenty of rest and recovery

ubet123 profile image
ubet123

Hi Picass, exactly the same time scale as you I had 2 stents, I'm walking about 2 miles a day wasn't sure if that was enough or to much but I had a cardiac rehab appointment last week and was told that was about right for me, as been said you will know more when you have your rehab appointment but until then I would do what your comfortable with, all good luck .

kennetbarble profile image
kennetbarble

Hi Picass

I am 10 weeks on after my HA and 2 stents fitted ,i was walking 1to 2 miles a day after 5 weeks and i was told that was fine and not to over do things (thats hard for me ) now at rehabilitation i am walking up to 4 miles a day ,

jimmyq profile image
jimmyq

You could also try Shibashi or Chi Kung or Tai Chi. Videos for the fist 2 are available on YouTube, Netflix and Amazon, etc. Tai Chi is best done in a class. Shibashi is very gentle and was recently shown on "Trust Me I'm A Doctor" as effective as Zumba, without the exertion.

Fitness levels before heart attack, medications you are on, any problems with insertion point for the stents etc, damage from the heart attack, your age, whether you smoke, existing muscular injuries - the list goes on. Physical capability is different for everyone without heart issues - I can't run 100m in 10secs, never could, and the differences are even more crucial now. Attending rehab is important but in the interim see your doctor to get an exercise plan.

Picass profile image
Picass in reply to

I was quite fit before but now I can’t walk for more than 5 mins without getting pain in my chest I know this is angina just thought I would have stents take tablets and be sorted did not think I would have something else after

in reply to Picass

It takes time. I was running 100km a week in Seattle training for a marathon before my first bypass op. It took me around 4-5 months before I could slowly jog 5km in comfort after completing rehab and I was only 48 and a fit ex-RAAF officer. It took another 3 years of working with my cardiologist, doctor etc before I could do a half-marathon and then another 2 years for a marathon. I had another bypass last year and its taken me 12 months of hard work (I'm 60 now) before I could get back to where I was before the surgery. Work with your medical team, take things slowly and reset expectations and all will be good. All the best.

Picass profile image
Picass in reply to

Thanks but we are talking NHS here ha ha

in reply to Picass

Move to Oz, health care is good and the beaches even better!

Picass profile image
Picass in reply to

Ha ha

Harrison4 profile image
Harrison4

Right now do not expect to much make sure you take your meds extremely important

Rest because you will get tired

Eat healthy food if you can

Walk the garden if you can and stairs helped me

But take all cv 19 precautions as advised

Use this site I found the support and somewhere to turn to comforting

Liase with heart care nurse if you have one

Stay safe 😊👍🏡

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