Before you start exercising, it's good to touch base with your doctor. That's especially true if you're new to exercise or haven't exercised regularly in a long time.
Your doctor can help suggest an exercise program based on your heart disease symptoms and your current level of fitness. Here are some things you might want to ask your doctor:
- What should I keep in mind as I start exercising?
- How much should I exercise each day or week?
- What kinds of exercise should I do?
- Are there types of exercise that I should avoid?
- Should I take my pulse when I exercise?
It's good to remember that you don't need to jump into exercise right away. If your doctor says you should aim for 30 minutes of exercise per day, that doesn't mean you need to do that today. It's better to start with a smaller goal — say 10 minutes of exercise per day — and eventually work up to 30 minutes per day. You might want to start by getting exercise every other day so you don't get too worn out or sore from it.
Next, let's look at different forms of exercise that are generally safe for people with heart disease.