Your Cardiologists Guide to a Healthy Heart
Are you super-cautious about working out because its been a while since you were active, or you feel out of shape? Actually, exercise is great for you. Being active will:
- Strengthen your heart.
- Lower your blood pressure.
- Help you reach and keep a healthy weight.
- Burn off stress.
- Boost your mood and self-esteem.
- Help you sleep better.
- Before you get started, ask your doctor these questions:
- How much exercise can I do each day?
- How often can I exercise each week?
- What types of activities should I try, and what should I avoid?
- Should I time when I take my medications around my exercise schedule?
- Should I take my pulse while I exercise? What pulse rate should I aim for?
- Are there any warning signs I should watch out for?
- Walk
- Jog
- Jump rope
- Bicycle
- Ski
- Skate
- Row
- Dance
- Mark your calendar. Make room in your busy schedule for exercise.
- Find a workout buddy.
- Change up your routine when you get bored.
- Wait at least an hour after eating a meal before you exercise.
- Warm up. Ease into your workout by doing the activity at a slower, gentler pace. That helps your heart (and the rest of your body) adjust slowly from resting to working hard.
- Cool down when youre done. Gradually slow your pace -- dont just stop suddenly. Sitting, standing still, or lying down right after exercise can make you feel dizzy or light-headed, or even have heart palpitations (a fluttery feeling in your chest).
- Sip on water before, during, and after your workout.
- Chest pain
- Weakness
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Pressure or pain in your chest, neck, arm, jaw, or shoulder