On a quiet afternoon, Uncle Lee sat on a park bench and looked out at the jogging young man, his heart full of envy and worry. A year ago, he was diagnosed with a heart attack, and since then, his life has been like a pause. Whenever he remembered the doctor's warning to "be careful with your heart", he gave up wanting to play sports. But deep down, he longs to get back to those vibrant days.
Until one day, he heard the words of an expert at a meeting of the cardiac rehabilitation team: "Exercise is not only good for healthy people, but even more so for people with heart disease." The key is to find a way to exercise that works for you. This sentence was like a light that illuminated Uncle Lee's heart. He realized that although his heart needed special care, that didn't mean he had to give up movement and energy.
An Active Heart, a Healthier Life: Why People with Heart Disease Need Exercise
For people with heart disease, exercise is not only a lifestyle change, but also a necessary health maintenance measure. Regular moderate physical activity can help improve heart function and reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events. This section will explain the importance of exercise for people with heart disease and provide scientifically supported recommendations.
Improves heart efficiency: Regular moderate exercise strengthens the heart muscles and increases their pumping efficiency. This means that the heart is able to deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout the body more efficiently with each beat.
Control cardiovascular risk factors: Proper exercise can help manage weight, reduce high blood pressure, and have a positive impact on cardiovascular risk factors such as abnormal glucose metabolism and increased systemic arterial blood pressure.
Improves blood circulation: Exercise can improve blood circulation and help reduce the progression of arteriosclerosis, which is essential for people with heart disease.
Mental Health Benefits: Not only does exercise improve physical health, but it also helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve quality of life in people with heart disease.
Scientific research supports: Numerous studies have shown that regular moderate exercise can significantly reduce the rate of recurrence of cardiovascular disease and the risk of death in people with heart disease.
This section focuses on the positive effects of exercise on people with heart disease. However, everyone's situation is different, so it's important to talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program to determine the type and intensity of exercise that's best for you. With proper exercise, heart disease patients can greatly improve their quality of life and health.
Preparing for exercise: a safe start for people with heart disease
Thorough preparation is crucial before a heart patient begins an exercise program. This is not only about the effectiveness of the exercise, but also a crucial step in ensuring safety.
Medical evaluation: The first step
Before starting any exercise program, people with heart disease should have a full medical evaluation. This includes, but is not limited to, electrocardiograms, cardiac function assessments, and fitness tests.
The purpose of the assessment is to determine the patient's current state of health, determine which types of exercise are safe, and develop an individualized exercise plan.
Choose the right type of exercise and intensity
Not all exercise is suitable for people with heart disease. Recommended types of exercise include low- to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise such as walking, swimming, and stationary biking.
The choice of exercise intensity should be based on the individual's physical and medical evaluation. Start with low-intensity exercise and gradually increase the intensity.
The importance of individual differences
People with heart disease have different physiques and conditions, so exercise programs should not be generalized. Some patients may be candidates for more challenging exercises, while others may require a more cautious approach.
Work closely with your doctor to ensure that the exercise program is appropriate for your health and needs.
The principle of step-by-step
Initially, emphasis should be placed on gradually increasing the intensity and duration of exercise. The duration of a workout starts with 10 to 15 minutes and gradually increases to 30 minutes.
Emphasis is placed on movement coherence rather than intensity. Regularity is more important than occasional high-intensity exercise.
With these steps, people with heart disease can start their exercise program effectively while ensuring safety. It is important to always exercise under the guidance of your doctor, especially when starting a new exercise program or increasing the intensity of your exercise. Not only does this ensure safety, but it also helps to maximize the health benefits of exercise.
Exercise cordon for heart disease patients: how to safely strengthen the heart muscle?
Heart disease patients need to pay special attention to the following key points when exercising to ensure the safety and effectiveness of exercise.
Monitor your heart rate properly:
Heart rate is an important indicator of exercise safety. People with heart disease should know their safe heart rate range before exercising, which is usually determined by a percentage of their maximum heart rate.
Using a heart rate monitor is an effective way to help patients stay within a safe range. For example, many experts recommend maintaining 50% to 70% of your maximum heart rate.
Recognize the signs of warning:
If you experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness or extreme fatigue while exercising, stop exercising immediately and seek medical help.
These symptoms can be a sign that the heart is overloaded, and ignoring them can lead to serious consequences.
Choose the right type of exercise:
Choose low- to moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, or stationary biking, which is less stressful on the heart.
Avoid strenuous high-intensity exercise and competitive activity, which can put too much strain on the heart.
Considerations for the sports environment:
Avoid exercising in extreme temperatures or highly polluted environments, which can exacerbate the burden on the heart.
Make sure the exercise site is well ventilated and has the right temperature.
Gradually increase the amount of exercise:
Exercise should be kept low at first, and gradually increase the duration and intensity of exercise as your fitness improves.
Avoid sudden starts of high-intensity exercise, which can pose a risk to the heart that is not adapted to exercise.
With the above measures, people with heart disease can exercise more safely and at the same time benefit from it. These guidelines are designed to help patients improve their quality of life while protecting their heart health. It is important that all exercise programs are carried out under the guidance of a physician to ensure individualized safety and effectiveness.