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Regular exercise is important for heart patients. It strengthens the heart muscles and lowers your BP and cholesterol levels. It may also help you stay active without chest pain, help you lose weight and boost bone health.
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Make sure to talk with your health care provider before starting any exercise programme. This is particularly important if you've recently had a heart attack, any heart surgery or have any pain or shortness of breath.
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It is important to discuss with your doctor what exercise program will best suit your condition, how much should you exercise and how often? Also check at what intensity should you exercise.
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Aerobic exercises like walking, swimming, cycling, etc. increase breathing and heart rate, which improves your heart, lungs and circulatory system. It helps the heart use oxygen better.
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Resistance exercise involves development of strength and endurance. Examples are lifting weights, using resistance bands and pushing or pulling your own body weight.
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Stretching or flexibility exercise keeps your muscles relaxed and your joints mobile. It also improves blood flow, help lowers blood pressure, and decreases the stiffness of arteries. Yoga is great for flexibility.
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When starting to exercise, always start slowly. Choose an aerobic activity such as walking, swimming, etc. and do it at least 3 to 4 times a week. Always do a warm up and cool down session before and after the workout.
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Never stop exercising all of a sudden and then sit or lie down, or stand still. This can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. Use walking shoes that are comfortable and have good support.
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While weight-training, go easy, and do not strain too hard. It is better to do lighter sets of exercise when you have heart disease than to work out too hard. You may need advice from a physical therapist or trainer
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If exercise puts any sort of strain on your heart and if you have pain or any other symptoms like dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, nausea etc., stop the exercise and rest and call your doctor.
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It is important that you pay attention to the earlier mentioned warning signs and never push yourself. Take care of your heart with these tips.
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