Hi, looking for some advice re swimming and Aqua aerobic excersise after having two stents fitted. I had a HA August 2024, which resulted in me having to have two stents fitted as an emergency procedure, since then I have worked hard to lose weight, eat a healthy diet and attend cardio curcit classes regularly. I follow all the advice I've been given. Pre HA I used to attend Aqua aerobic classes twice a week and really enjoyed it. When I enquire with the health professionals if I can now take this back up I get very different advice, from, not advisable due to pressure from the water to maybe to not sure as old research advises no. While I know there are other forms of excersise I can do, the Aqua classes were a social part of my life too which I miss. Has anyone got any advice re this please?
Swimming post Stents: Hi, looking for... - British Heart Fou...
Swimming post Stents
I go to aqua and,have two stents. Have no problems just take it at your own pace.
I went back to aqua aerobics 6 weeks post HA and a stent under the supervision of the physiotherapist, check with the rehab team, you can do as much or a little to build up your strength, plus the social interaction is part of your recovery to normality ( what ever that is! ) enjoy if you can.
Is this Sue? It’s Julie!!
I went swimming regularly before Christmas and everything was fine. I just started off slowly and built up the lengths over several weeks. I stopped because it was so cold. I’m going to start again now the weather is improving.
Julie
Hi Natios, I understand your desire to participate in aqua activities as I felt the same. I received a stent in June 2023 and a further 2 stents in October 2023 ( after an NSTEMI).
I used to swim in the North Sea but was advised by my cardiology nurse that it would be dangerous because of the water temperature. Instead, and after complementing 8 weeks cardiac rehab, I began attending twice weekly aqua mobility classes under careful supervision and in a warm pool. This included a little light swimming. Building up from that ( plus walking and some supervised gym work) I began attending twice weekly aquafit classes last year. These have been very helpful in rebuilding fitness and I’ve found them to be a lot of fun. I can see why you would want to return to this activity.
It’s difficult when you’re receiving conflicting advice. I’m not a medical professional so can only share my situation with you. I was advised not to swim underwater or in cold water. I try to begin gradually, working at my own pace and pausing when I need to. I always ensure that my GTN spray is readily available, although I have never needed to use it.
Good luck!
Yisselda
The North Sea!!! You are clearly built of sterner stuff than me 😂
The last time I did that was dinghy sailing off the Suffolk coast 40 years ago. And that was with a 5mm wet suit on.
And I have never been in the sea from UK shores since, much too cold and uninviting.
Ah well, I grew up near the coast of Northumberland and summer weekends were invariably spent at the seaside so it was all about the swimming and beach cricket! You are right about it being cold 😂.
I go swimming without any problems. I think people are afraid as soon as you say stents and heart attack. They don’t want any responsibility or risk, so they give you a negative response to put you off. Take it easy, build up at your own pace and listen to your body. Happy swimming!
My brother has 2 stents in his heart and one in his brain . He swims every morning at 6.30am for a hour . He lost a lot of weight last year as he needed a new hip socket . Had full hip replacement decades ago . He finds swimming is the best exercise for him and been doing it for decades . He has started to do weights at home . He has permanent AF,had angina ,mini stroke and bleed on the brain due to a piece of metal falling on his head.
He loves swimming as it exercises every part of his body. He has an allotment and walks 10,000+ steps a day and is carer to my sister in law . He will be 66 in a few months .
He did all his pre hip op exercises and post ones and when he saw the physio 8 weeks after the op signed him off as they didn't need to do anything as he had done it all himself . That's went he started swimming again . Drove him mad he had to wait for the physio to say he could swim again .
Generally speaking swimming and moderate aqua exercises and walking in water are good options.My physio usually advises people to wait 12-16 weeks after the procedure to allow proper healing of the breast bone area and just relaxing, floating and gently moving in the water for 15-20 minutes at first.
He also suggests that you go with a buddy at first and make sure you are well hydrated,
You may need to moderate or change your stroke.
You shouldn't swim in water that it too cold , and it's better to warm up and cool down with some stretches in land before getting in the pool.
Underwater swimming or diving isn't advisable.
He suggests people build some strength with land exercises and then movement in water before trying to swim.
I'm surprised your doctors don't know this.
Thank you
I had 2 stents, AVR and a single CABG in June 23 so many, many times more invasive.
I was told I could swim from 12 weeks but found it painful. I did start though from about 15 weeks with no problems.
I’m 72, male, run between 8 and 15k a week and, now the better weather is approaching, plan to get back on my bike.
Engaging in physical activity after a heart attack and stent placement is generally beneficial and encouraged, but it’s crucial to approach exercise thoughtfully and under medical guidance. Aqua aerobics, in particular, can be a suitable form of exercise, offering cardiovascular benefits with reduced joint strain. Here’s what the BHF recommends,
Hi Natios - I have two stents, do lots of swimming, 800m in 15 mins yesterday... 
Hi. Natios
Go for it, as many have said before - advice can be conflicting but doing any exercise carefully is better than doing none. I must be doing something right - I had 45% EF post HA & have just been informed I’m now 55% 💖😁. You really do learn to listen to your body when you join the ‘heartie’ club! I love aquafit (11 months post Stemi HA) but I don’t try to keep up with everything, I don’t need to. (have stared in wonder & admiration at the speed of the whirling dervishes in front of me who are probably 10-20 yrs my senior 😂) Just go at your own pace & have a right laugh (me especially when the ‘noodles’ come out - I’m absolutely rubbish trying to stand on them 🤣 but I’ll get there) 👍. Just make sure you warm up gently for at least ten minutes before starting. I wear an Apple Watch which lets me know my heart rate, but actually I don’t really need it as I can feel when I need to reign it back a bit in any exercise I do. Confidence in knowing your new normal is key, enjoyment and fun even more so. All the very best on your journey to health ❤️ 💖
i had a stent and have swam weekly since using mask and find with no issues
I really would go with the advice from a health care professionals rather than what anyone may say here. Have you spoken to your GP. I am 2 years post op from double CABG and was advised a bit like you There are things I used to enjoy that I now can't do. It's a small price to pay for my life I feel.
Heart attack 6 years ago and two stents. I was told swimming was probably he next best exercise I could do next to brisk walking but not cold water swimming. Only one problem- I can't swim.
Six stents. and after two weeks, absolutely no exercise restrictions, including swimming. I did notice that some of the responses here were for CABG recovery as well. CABG recovery is an altogether different story where they cut your sternum. Longer healing. And more restrictions.
Jim
Thank you
Sorry for poor, unneccesarily cautious advice from some of my colleagues - with stents in place, exercise should be encouraged: in my case , sadly there was too long a delay due to a late ambulance [over 3 hours and no reason cited] and this left me with a patent widowmaker artery but a large mass of dead left ventricle, so my efforts at continuing jogging are incredibly slow and breathless, but i enjoy it even if slower than walkers at Parkrun.
Thank you
Some mnths after my heart attack, i got great reassurance when my cardiologist 'pushed' me thru an exercise test with him and not just the technicians. Im too old for a transplant, so my partial heart failure remains but my stents seem clear for now and i can push myself within the limits of breathlessness without cardiac pain.
Recovery Time after Stents Fitted
3 months post stents
Heart attacks and stents
Is my heart range normal 2 months post MI and stents?
3 months post stents 
