If you have coronary heart disease, regular physical activity can benefit your overall heart health, help protect your heart and help to reduce your risk of having further heart problems.
![Love activity heart disease Thumbnail](/sites/default/files/styles/full_width/public/media-image/2019-05/heart_disease.jpg?itok=1bBuooOY)
It can also help you to recover from a heart attack or treatment such as heart surgery.
Here's how to get started.
Ask your doctor about cardiac rehabilitation courses available near you
- Speak to a health professional to check any activity you have chosen to do is suitable. For example, swimming may not be right for everyone
- Pick an activity that uses your whole body such as walking, cycling or dancing and in general aim to do 150 minutes a week
- The activity should be at moderate intensity, meaning you'll feel comfortable to continue the activity but will feel that your breathing is deeper and faster but you can still speak
- Remember that it doesn’t all have to be done in one go! You can break the 150 mins down to 30 mins five times a week or even down to 15 x 10 minute sessions throughout the week. Keep track of your activity using an activity planner or with a fitness tracker app.
![Cardiovascular disease Thumbnail](/sites/default/files/styles/half_width/public/05-physiotherapy-physio-cardio-cardiovascular.jpg?itok=AePhyLP1)
- Always start and finish the activity gradually so you warm up and cool down, giving your heart and lungs time to build up and then wind down from the activity
- Resistance exercise can also be performed twice a week. The weight you use shouldn't be too large and you should be able to do at least 10 reps – if you can't then the weight is too heavy for you
- Choose activities you enjoy and feel you will continue to want to do in the future
- Don't exercise if you have chest pain, palpitations or feel dizzy
If you’re still not sure where to start, a physiotherapist can assess you and work with you to create a weekly activity plan
You can download this page for future reference.
Being active with heart disease
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