Upper body exercises

[BenThom-Wood]

My first cardiac arrest happened when I was swimming. I used to be able to swim for 2km within 60 minutes, alternating breast stroke & front crawl.

What upper body exercises would you recommend to get me back to this level?

I need to start small I think.

[Jay777]

I think swimming would be the most effective, as you say start small so set achievable targets to build on weekly. Get your stamina/distance back first then work on building speed.

[BenThom-Wood in reply to Jay777]

Thanks, I was swimming when I had my first cardiac episode & drowned. I have paddled around a pool since then but nothing anywhere near what I could do.

[BenThom-Wood]

Wow, indeed, that reply was unexpected. You’ve piqued my interest in the relationship between muscles & the heart. (The upper body is closer to the lungs than the legs...)

I take your point about dry land but I was lucky my initial cardiac event was in a ‘colder’ pool as that might’ve saved my brain cell from damage.

[BenThom-Wood]

Thanks, I will. Your triathlete comment does concern me as I do cycle to work currently. Which athlete do you refer to?

[Jay777]

HappyJo is spot on - I assumed that you had been given ok by your consultant but it’s a point that should not be neglected.

I had in mind if you are cleared to exercise gentle breast stroke is a great upper body exercise. It can be so easy to overdo things when we are itching to get back to normal especially when you have gone to the trouble of going to a pool it’s probably hard to go home after one length.

This may be of interest - bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Padayn01]

You had a cardiac arrest while swimming, did doctor's ever find out why this happened?

[BenThom-Wood in reply to Padayn01]

Nope, they thought channelopathy but I was put on & taken off amiodarone. Genetics say there’s nothing wrong with my heart.