Can I Keep Exercising After Experiencing A Cardiac Event?
February is American Heart Month.
American Heart Month is a great time to learn how to boost your heart health and start exercising safely even if you've had heart issues. American Heart Month is observed to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy heart and encourage healthy habits that help reduce the risk of heart disease. Sports Cardiologist Dr. Ankit Shah from MedStar Health shares the following information and advice:
Can I Keep Exercising After Experiencing A Cardiac Event?
It's possible! Staying active is key to a healthy heart. Be sure to follow your doctor's advice! on the amount and intensity of exercise you plan on doing. You may need to start slow and set small goals. Taking short walks is an excellent way to keep your heart healthy. You can start by taking short 5-10 minute walks a day and build up your routine over several weeks. Even if you've had a cardiac event or suffer from cardiovascular disease, it's still possible to exercise safely with the proper guidance from your doctor. Dr. Shah has helped numerous patients get back to exercise after having a cardiac event.
When Should I Visit A Sports Cardiologist?
If you are unsure of the intensity of exercise you should be doing based on the severity of your cardiovascular disease or following a cardiac event, a Sports Cardiologist will advise you on staying active and safe. They will review your medical history, athletic history, and athletic goals to set a proper heart-healthy exercise plan.
Exercise red flags to report to your doctor:
Chest pain
Chest pressure
Pain in the jaw or down the left arm
Shortness of breath
Can't keep up with running mates
Athletes Heart?
Whether you're a professional athlete or just getting started on your fitness journey, it's essential to understand how changes in the heart may occur due to fitness training. Athletes who routinely engage in vigorous exercise (usually at least 5 hours a week) may develop adaptive enlargement of the heart - also known as "Athlete's Heart." In most cases, it is not dangerous, but it's important to differentiate it from other severe conditions that can also cause an enlarged heart. For example, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an abnormal thickening of the heart that results from a genetic disorder and may occur in as many as one in 200 people. An abnormally enlarged heart doesn't function as efficiently as a healthy one—so with advanced testing, we try to differentiate an athlete's heart from a pathologic condition.
How Can I Spot Risk Factors?
It's important to visit your doctor regularly and make sure that you have been evaluated for any risk factors. Unhealthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels may lead to heart-related conditions.
Effective & Safe Exercise for All
Although strenuous exercise can pose an element of heart risk for some, it's important to keep this in perspective.
Very reliable data compiled over many years has shown that regular exercise is truly one of the best things we can do for our health. It increases lifespan by reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. We also know it can improve mental health and prevent cancer and other diseases.
The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, each week. It's best to keep a consistently spaced routine each week rather than trying to pack all your workouts into the weekend. However, no matter how and when you can fit in your exercise, it's good for you.
Dr. Ankit Shah, MD, MPH, FACC - Sports Cardiologist with MedStar Health.