If you’ve had a heart attack in the past or have been diagnosed with a heart condition, it’s natural to be hesitant to work out. Maybe you don’t know how much intense activity your heart can take and you assume avoiding all forms of exercise is safest.
Here’s what cardiologists want you to know: As long as it’s cleared by your doctor, exercising with a heart condition is not only safe, but recommended! In fact, there’s one type of exercise that’s especially beneficial if you have a heart condition.
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General Advice for Working Out With a Heart Condition
Before you attempt any type of exercise, cardiologist Dr. David Hsi, MD , says that it’s important to get the a-okay from your doctor. This is because heart conditions vary greatly. What’s safe for one person with a heart condition may not be recommended for someone else with a heart condition. When talking with your doctor, be sure to ask what type of exercises are safe as well as how intensely it’s safe for you to do them.
But in general, most people with a heart condition can benefit from exercising. “The two major heart conditions that have a significant benefit from an exercise program are congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease,” says interventional cardiologist Dr. Sameer Mehta, MD, FACC, MBA . Dr. Mehta says that a cardiologist may refer someone with congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease to cardiac rehabilitation, which offers a certain amount of exercise sessions that are supervised by a trained exercise physiologist.
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“At the end of these sessions, the patient is left with a good idea of the intensity and amount of exercise they are capable of, goals moving forward, as well as gain a significant comfort level that they can continue to exercise moving forward,” Dr. Mehta says.
The Best Type of Exercise If You Have a Heart Condition
It bears repeating that if you have a heart condition, you should talk to your doctor about what type of exercise is best for you as well as how intensely it’s safe to do it. That said, Dr. Hsi says that there is one type of exercise that is widely recommended: moderate aerobic exercise, such as walking. “Walking is one of the safest forms of aerobic exercise for individuals with heart conditions. It's low impact and helps improve circulation,” he says.
Scientific research shows just how powerful making a habit of walking regularly is for health. Walking decreases the risk of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and dementia. It’s even linked to increasing lifespan . “Exercise allows the body to become more efficient with utilizing oxygen. As such, exercise training can make a patient with heart disease less symptomatic,” Dr. Mehta explains.
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Dr. Hsi explains that walking at a brisk pace is good for cardiovascular health and is also linked to reducing stress, particularly when done in nature. This is important to note because prolonged amounts of high stress can increase the risk of a heart attack and stroke.
Besides walking, Dr. Hsi says that yoga and tai chi are two other forms of moderate aerobic exercise that can be beneficial for people with a heart condition. Similar to walking, these forms of exercise are also scientifically linked to lowering stress levels and benefitting cardiovascular health .
It’s not only what type of exercise you do that matters, but how often you do it. “The general rule is that exercise is most beneficial if performed for at least three hours per week for medium-intensity exercise,” Dr. Mehta says.
Wondering if there are any forms of exercise you should avoid? Dr. Hsi says that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may be too intense for some people with heart conditions, but reiterates that this is something you should ask your doctor about. Dr. Mehta adds to this, saying that it may not be the best idea to attempt running a marathon or doing a triathlon if you have a heart condition.
What’s most important to know is that exercising is good for the heart. Talk to your doctor about how you can stay active and then get walking! It could add years to your life.
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