Exercise after heart attack

[Chin1956]

Exercise after heart attack and one stent fitted and advice how soon and what to do was fit before attack

[Slimdaz]

Hi buddy,

At 47 I thought I was fairly fit, but I had a STEMI on 27 June 2020, resulted from 100% blockage. While having that I was out on my bike, and covered about 19 miles. However before all that, and when we could go to the gym, I was working out for 6 days per week.

Mainly cardio classes with the odd weights session thrown in.

I started back out on my bike towards the end of my cardio physio, so about September time. Small loops at first about 4 miles , then started back at the gym, before lockdown 2.

Before the second lockdown and post cardio rehab I ended up getting back to 3 cardio classes per week, lasting 45 mins each, and on consecutive days from September to November. Mainly spin and Hiit class.

Since November though my regime has been poor to be honest, I’ve lost my exercise mojo, which has meant that I’ve added a few covid kilos in weight. Although I was out Friday and completed 12.17 miles in 53 minutes. Not far or fast, but I only have a mountain bike. Prior to my HA is was doing 20-30 miles each time I was out.

Everybody is different though and age can play a factor, so just take it easy and do what you think is right. You can always contact the rehab team if you have any queries.

All the best

Darren

[Stamford1]

Hi, you should have been given a lot of information when you left hospital regarding diet and exercise, also the cardiac rehabilitation team should be in touch to see how you are getting on and putting an exercise programme in place.

[Rugby46]

Morning. Great question and something I’ve been asking/wondering. I had a HA just before Xmas. Had 1 stent fitted to a blocked artery. Last week I had 2 further stents fitted to a 70% blocked artery. I was a regular cyclist prior to the HA so felt I was fit and ok. Had the HA whilst riding my bike. I’m 52 and have pretty healthy lifestyle. So, a HA was a big surprise.The advice given to me last week after my two others stents being fitted was to take it easy. Start with walking and build up your strength/confidence. I’ve been walking daily for circa 1.5/2 miles and feel good. I will push the distance out next week. The consultant said that only you can tell if you’re ok but don’t rush at it.

No doubt everyone is different and probably wise to ask your consultant for advice. I’m booked into a cardio rehab programme which starts in a few weeks time.

Good luck 👍

[Misstibbs]

Hi Chin I had the very same on Boxing Day 2019 age 69 so started exercise gently mainly stretches and walking then back to jogging all the time keeping aware of my limitations I now regularly run 5k with no problems also the cardiac nurse will advise BUT if you get any problems clearly STOP good luck

[Ianc2 in reply to Misstibbs]

Have a good look at your diet, Arteries don't clog up by accident, they do so because of too much junk floating around in your bloodstream?

[Chin1956 in reply to Ianc2]

I have been a fish / vegetarian for the passed 5 years active biker and Taijiquan teacher for 25years ???

[Ianc2]

Interesting. Is this a very low fat diet?

[Chin1956]

Think so no fast food / fried just veg and fish ?????

[Ianc2 in reply to Chin1956]

Thanks for the reply. Does your diet contain lots of starches, breads or sweet veg like parsnips? Are your cholesterol levels good?

[Chin1956 in reply to Ianc2]

Cholesterol levels where high 8 not sure what that means looking into the food and diet and type ?

[Ianc2 in reply to Chin1956]

Have a look at your HDL and LDL ratios. the BHF advises us all to follow the Mediterranean diet. Some recent comments look at putting walnuts into this diet in place of red meat to help bring fatty liver disease under control.

The BANT have registered nutritionists who may be able to help you to identify any ways in which you can improve your levels.

The whole diet/exercise discussion is somewhat amazing and there are plenty of completely opposing viewpoints supported by eminent medical people, many of whom are busy selling website subscriptions and cook books.

Inside the health unlocked site there are many other sites. If you look on the top left there is a button My hub. If you click on it , I think you can access sites (like this one) that deal with Cholesterol , or the LCHF (low carb high fat) that deals with a completely different way of eating. You can spend many a happy hour trying to get to grips with it all.

[pjw17]

Hello Chin,HA in May one stent, previous to this I was a very fit 58 ex racing cyclist.

I started exercise about 5-6 weeks after HA with a program from cardio rehab team, before that I was walking working up to about 25 mins.

I'm now out on bike or indoors (weather) but up to about 40 mins local on bike.

[Chin1956 in reply to pjw17]

Hi

Many thanks that encouraging only 6 day since HA so all new, strange and anxious.

Thanks again

[pjw17 in reply to Chin1956]

You will get there Chin, hosp told me I would get back to where I was on bike fitness wise... But being honest my days of big hills long rides have gone just want to tick over!!Good luck.

[Heartinthehills]

Hi Chin and quick thinking coming straight to this forum. As you can't yet do supervised rehab I would suggest just walking everyday is the best way to start exercising. I remember making it a discipline to go out first thing every day and increasing distance and pace of walking without getting breathless. Rehab classes suggest you should be able to exercise and talk at the same time without breathlessness. Regular exercise is the best route to a good recovery. I notice your cholesterol if it is 8 is too high and you should be consulting your GP to lower it usually by taking a statin. I had cholesterol around 5.6 before my incident and it is now down to 3. My clogged arteries were a hereditary problem and if it's the same for you it will take more than a good diet to correct it.

[Chin1956 in reply to Heartinthehills]

Hi

Thanks for the reply already doing daily walks not to far or long and the hospital had put me on statins and aspirin, they tell me for the rest of my life.

I’m of course ok with that, a little anxious and bored.

No one has contacted me yet after leaving hospital? Seven days now

[Heartinthehills in reply to Chin1956]

I guess the whole profession is a bit pre-occupied at the moment. I was not that impressed by my GP practice on their follow up in much quieter times so its worth making your own approach if they don't contact you after a few weeks. There is also a useful helpline on the BHF website bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo... You will be talking to a specialist nurse who can give advice relating to your particular circumstances.

[Chin1956]

Many thanks info much appreciated