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HomeCHD & heart attackWhich sports are suitable for heart patients?

Which sports are suitable for heart patients?

Exercise after a heart attack - it's not only okay, but even really important! In this article, we'll look at what sports are best after heart attack. We'll look at the different types of sports that are safe for heart patients. In the process, we'll look at what the risks are of playing sports despite a heart attack and how to keep them in mind. Let's go!

Contents

At a glance

After a heart attack is recommended, as early as possible to start moving again - this applies also for patients With stent. Observe the prescribed closed season from your doctor.

Heart patients should pay particular attention to Endurance sports set. These include aerobic sports such as Running, Swimming or Cycling. Caution is advised if you want to do these sports in an extreme form. Discuss You such projects always with Your Doctor.

Sports that involve the entire Strengthen body - such as Pilates, yoga or strength training - are considered to be Supplement to endurance sports recommended for cardiac patients. Pay attention to the correct execution and be accompanied by a trained trainer or doctor.

Why is sport important after a heart attack?

Experts agree: Physical activity is a important part the Heart attack prevention and recovery. Because regular exercise has numerous benefits that Support cardiovascular health: 

  • Reduce the risk of another heart attack
  • Improve the heart function
  • Increase the general well-being
  • Help with weight loss

And that applies to (almost) all heart patients!

Always adhere to the Recommendations of your attending physician. This helps, Correct at train and Risks such as Sport after silent heart attack (med. silent myocardial infarction)-that is, a heart attack that is accompanied by no symptoms-or other dangerous activities to avoid.

How long should you take it easy after a heart attack?

Ask yourself, how long You to a Pause heart attack and do not play sports should? Or maybe the other way around: From when sport after a Heart attack is recommended again? 

The answer: Start exercising (again) as early as possible after a heart attack. You can achieve the best results for yourself and your heart if you regular - so several times a week - and Train with the right training intensity. Intensity is measured by your heart rate. For your safety, start slowly and increase You the Intensity Your movement step by step.

By the way: One can work with a Stent Playing sportsThis is also indicated by a study with 3132 patients from France, Belgium and Switzerland. Here, heart patients were accompanied in their sports program after a stent placement. Keep to the instructions given by your doctor closed season and Recommendations one. It is recommended to also with stent early again with sport at begin.

For more information on how often and at what heart rate you should exercise as a heart patient, see our article "How should I exercise with heart disease or after a heart attack?".

Which sports are suitable for heart patients?

Tennis, cross-country skiing, jogging, weightlifting - there are countless sports in this world. But what is the best sport after a Heart attack?

The Therapy guidelines for the Coronary heart disease recommend to a Heart attack especially regular endurance sports, also Cardio training or aerobic training called the Several times a week is performed. Did you know that cardio means "concerning the heart"? Cardio exercise trains the heart, making it stronger.

In addition, the endurance training should be followed by various invigorating sports (anaerobic training) be addedto increase the general physical fitness. However, these exercises do not replace endurance training! For older patients are also additionally exercises for coordination and flexibility recommended, for example, to improve the sense of balance.

Endurance training - Aerobic sports for heart patients

Aerobic is Greek and stands for "Oxygen", because the body needs oxygen for aerobic activities. This oxygen is absorbed by the lungs and transported through our body via the cardiovascular system. Therefore strengthen aerobic sports the Cardiovascular Health. They improve endurance, blood circulation and the body's ability to absorb and use oxygen.

Cycling is a popular aerobic sport. You is suitable itself for people who to a Heart attack Want to get back into physical activity, as bicycling can improve endurance and increase the Heart Health support can. Other typical aerobic sports suitable for cardiac patients include. Running/Jogging, Swimming, Dance or brisk walking.

Aerobic exercise units are usually performed for a longer period of time. Thereby the Heart rate During movement via a increased for a long time respectively at a Increased level maintained. For heart patients or after a heart attack, especially Movement units recommended that Several times a week with a moderate intensity of movement be carried out.

You can find out how to hit the right heart or pulse rate and intensity when exercising in our article "How should I exercise with heart disease or after a heart attack?".

Strength training and co. - Anaerobic sports for heart patients

Anaerobic is Greek and means "Without oxygen". The body does not need (additional) oxygen to perform these activities. Anaerobic sports are mostly over shorter periods performed and require short term the intensive use of the body's own energy. As a result, these types of movement especially increase the Muscle power and can to a Heart rate in the high range lead.

(Intense) Yoga and Pilates are popular anaerobic sports. Yoga and Pilates can improve strength, flexibility and coordination, and can be also for heart patients after a Heart attack suitable, especially as an addition to endurance training. Other anaerobic sports include. Strength training, Weightlifting or Sprint. These forms of movement may also be possible (again) after a heart attack.

The following applies: carry out sports such as strength training or yoga always under supervision of a Doctor or trained trainer through to avoid overloading and ensure proper execution. 

By the way proper sports exercisesthat your Heart strengthn, the Vantis movement coach. With its Sports videos, which consist of a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic exercises, you can safely vDoing sports from home. 

Competitive sports after heart attack

You have for years Competitive sports operated - but what applies after a Heart attack?

Competitive sports after a heart attack is possible. However, he should under medical supervision take place and you should have a individual on you adapted training plan follow.

During the sport applies: Increase You your physical resilience after a heart attack slow and step by step - this is especially true for competitive sports. Interrupt You the movement For symptoms and discomfort, such as chest tightness (med. angina pectoris) and contact your doctor.

Are there any sports that heart patients should avoid?

Extreme sports, Sports with high risk of injury or certain sports under water can especially for heart patients pose great risks and become not or only limited recommended. Extreme sports include bungee jumping, scuba diving, rugby, American football, boxing or wrestling.

Caution also applies for extremely long or hard sport units, such as Triathlon, extended cycling or the Lifting heavy weights. Here, research suggests that there are too much sport after a Heart attack that can be dangerous for the heart.

Seek detailed advice from your physician before engaging in such sports.

You would like to start directly?

You would also like to benefit from the great effects from Sport after a Heart attack profit and thereby feel safe? With the Videos at Vantis movement coach make the Sports exercises, the for heart patients are suitable and recommended.

Extra tip: The personal Vantis movement coach

  • Get exercise from home with simple take-home videos and learn what exercises you can do to move properly after a heart attack. Know your minutes of exercise every day at a glance.
Let's go

To clarify whether a particular exercise program is right for you, we recommend that if in doubt, talk to your doctor before you start exercising.

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