First walk

[11walking22]

Went for a walk today only 25 minutes everything went ok but now feeling it was too much for first walk now feeling a little discomfort When did anyone first go for a walk after their Angioplasty my sister is a Cardio vascular nurse and has said as the heart is a large muscle cardio is best for me to do when I feel I can till I feel tired and not till I’m out of breath 💪💪

[Hatchjd]

I couldn't walk to the end of my street the first 2 weeks after angioplasty without aching between my shoulder blades. 18 months later I can cycle 10-15 very hilly Scottish miles without a problem.

[11walking22 in reply to Hatchjd]

Wow I’m doing a Mighty Hike (25 miles) next June all being well I miss my walks so today was a little emotional but onwards and upwards 💪💪

[Pammy124prms]

i was told too much too soon 10 mins slow walking a day good luck, ps i do an online walk called lesleysansome easy walk shes brilliant had it okd by my rehab nurse as well

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

You can see there is some difference between peoples experience. I found it easy to overdo it (but not usually obvious till I’d finished my exercise). But it did work much better when I didn’t push it, just went slow and steady.

You’ll get there.

What a useful sister to have!

[11walking22 in reply to Kristin1812]

Thank you I have been out twice before for 10 minutes and now the 25 I have cardio Rehab on Thursday for the first time so will ask them when they phoned me first I asked about going for a short walk and they said it was fine

[IrisCarter]

After my OHS in June I started with 10 minutes and built up slowly as I also have class II - III heart failure. Depending on the day I can do between 20 and 40 minutes. The golden rule is to stop before you feel exhausted. And yes, the heart is a muscle that needs exercise but it has also been handled, cut and sutured so it does need rest too. If you had surgery on your thigh muscle would you expect to be walking a km so soon afterwards?

[Andyman]

I was told to walk from day one. I could make about 400 yards. Slowly but surely I increased daily. I could walk miles in the end. Just don't go out doing too much. I think for a first walk 25 minutes was too much. Our rush to get back to normal is misplaced. As I always say. It was your normal life that led you to your condition. Why would you want to go back to that. Take your time slowly but surely you will get there. Important thing is to go out everyday and improve.....slowly.

[11walking22 in reply to Andyman]

Thanks my first walks we’re around 10 minutes the last walk was a build up on that I wasn’t breathless or tired I start cardio Rehab on Thursday thank you

[Pammy124prms in reply to 11walking22]

i was told not to walk before rehab good luck

[080311 in reply to Pammy124prms]

I was encouraged to walk while still in hospital after my open heart surgery, and for those first weeks before starting cardio rehab told to walk a couple times a day. I used to count lamp posts and try and get to the next one the following day.

Best wishes Pauline

[Pammy124prms in reply to 080311]

hi hve you tried the lesley sansome walking videos on you tube shes amazing starts very easy and gradually gets harder you choose which one todo i started with the very easy walk im now on 3 miles a day you dont even have to leave home to do it

[080311 in reply to Pammy124prms]

It’s 4 years since my surgery, so was able to do cardio rehab at the hospital followed by 6 months at the local gym with lots of other Hearties. It’s such a shame because of Covid cardio rehab as all but stopped. As well as getting our stamina back we had a weekly talk from our diet to drugs and the side effects to what is happening with research into heart disease.

[Gordon_N]

As above, the common experience is slowly but surely, build up gradually. I had cardiac arrest in May and a 10 minute walk around block a month later was a struggle. I did BHF MyCycle in Sept : 300+ miles in less than 30 days. I was worried about my heart rate and overdoing it. I bought a heart monitor after discussing with cardio nurses. You can literally keep your eye on your heart rate as you walk using a smart phone - gives you piece of mind and let's you measure/monitor your progress

[lisburb]

Well done, keep to doing what your told. After I had my valve repair, the surgeon made me walk round the ward on day 2 with the physio. I was shattered. I am someone who could walk miles and miles before my troubles started. Day 3 I was told to go every hour and the lady in the next bed would go with me, every hour off we went. When I went home to my Mums the surgeon had told my Mum, right get her out walking. It was 3 years ago, the big freeeze. Thick ice and snow on the pavements. So I was taken to sainsburys and walked round there for half an hour a day. I am sure they thought we were casing the joint LOL. I'd lean on the trolley for support and at least I wouldnt fall over. When we got fed up, another day we would go to Marks and Spencers and go for a cup of tea each time in the cafe for a rest. When the weather finally allowed, I got ready to go and my Mum said off you go then. I was scared, out in the big wide world, on my own. I was more worried about slipping over on the ice than anything else. I had my proper walking boots on and I still remember walking up to the post box about quarterof a mile away and standing there and thinking, right, thats it Ive made it, such a feat, after that I built little on little every day, rest when you are tired, dont over do it and above all listen to your doctors and do as you are told. Each time I go past that post box now, I think about the feeling I had back then. Take care xx