Ideas to get strength back

[Cards21]

Had a HA and triple byepass 11 months ago but still not got my strength back. Can only walk just over 1/2 mile and poor on hills. I am line dancing again but have to rest every 3 dances. I missed rehab because I had no way to get to the hospital 12 miles away and wasn’t driving. Ideas for activities and exercises to get my strength back please. I am on Bisoprolol 7.5mg (tried reducing to 5mg but blood pressure went up ). Ideas please for activities, exercises etc.

[Sunnie2day]

Hiya, Cards! If you can use a stationary bike, those are great for building up and maintaining. I am using one of those 'granny' half-bike things (just the pedals with adjustable tension, sits on the floor and the user perches on a chair or bench to pedal, and then gets the thing up on the kitchen table to work the pedals for upper body) - truly cannot wait until I can get back on the full size one!

I had to give up my rowing machine when we downsized and I miss it horribly - I always thought it the perfect whole body piece of home gym kit. If you have room and permission from your cardiac team, I can't recommend a rowing machine highly enough.

A treadmill is nice for wet/humid/hot/cold days you can't get outside to walk. Another home gym equipment I had to give up when we downsized.

I'm on a limited-restricted home exercise plan for now per doctor's orders so am only using 1.5kg free weights, light resistance bands, the half-bike, light 'dancercise' (Coleen Nolan DVDs I can stop for a breather and no-one sees me in my odd work-out clothes ) and a twice daily level ground only walk (weather permitting) - I wear a cheap pedometer on my shoe and so far am up to a mile or so morning and afternoon.

It's frustratingly slow but I am seeing progress - not fast enough for me but heigh ho, it's something!

[Calliope153 in reply to Sunnie2day]

I know the frustratingly slow aspect only too well. 18 months on and I am only just feeling the benefit. Can do more and not breathless. Joined the sports centre and have swapped daily walking for half an hour gym time. I hate it but there is no doubt the rehab classes and the boredom of 10 minutes each on bike, rower and treadmill as often as possible has really helped. It is hard not to be discouraged though...... hoping my collaterals are increasing....

[Sunnie2day in reply to Calliope153]

18 months on, yes, I'd describe that as frustratingly slow!

I've had a heart problem since a childhood bout of rheumatic fever 'went south' on me but things went along reasonably well until I developed recurrent pericarditis in the late 1990s. Even then I went over ten years without an acute pericarditis episode and was able to maintain a fair state of fitness until spring 2019 when some dental work led to an acute flare that 'cascaded' to more issues and frankly even now over six months into recovery I feel as though I've been run through the mangle at least three times.

Reading your comment that you're seeing some significant progress - doing more and not breathless - I dream, I dream of the day I say goodbye to breathlessness! I am getting there in that now when I come in from the twice daily walks I don't need to find the nearest chair but I do need to stand in the front hall putting my jacket away slowly (to completely catch my breath).

Onwards and upwards to us all!

[Ianc2]

Give yourself the gift of time and expect to make slow, steady and gentle progress. Nice and easy gentle regular exercise is the key, good wet weather gear is essential and you will have to get used to following a very healthy diet.

11 months ago someone cut a big hole in your chest and hooked up all manner of gubbins, pipes and pumps. It does take a good while to rebuild your body and slowly gather strength. It is a pity you couldn't get to rehab as it does help a lot and gets to you to improve by using a wide bunch of muscles again. There is no possibility of hospital transport is there?

If you can find a nice level path you can work up to a daily mile. Forget the hills for the time being.

I did the rehab program. A few of the exercises stick in my mind:

stand up on a step and step down - 3 sets of 15

push ups against a window cill

most memorably - get a chair, and sit down and stand up again, and again, and again, etc. My thigh muscles remember that one, oh yes.

I had my operation when I was 69. I am 74 now and regularly go out for 6 mile walks with a bit of up and down in them, and ballroom dancing as well. Nice and easy does it.

[Cards21 in reply to Ianc2]

Thank you lanc2

[Fish4Info]

After my CABG it took months to get fit again. For months I walked short distances every day ... and built it up every day. Do wish I could keep up the motivation I had 13 years ago.

[Cards21 in reply to Fish4Info]

Thank you