People with cardiovascular conditions can and should take up sporting activities, but especially in summer this should be done sensibly, advises Professor Bochenek as part of the Heart Loves Sport campaign.
Exercise - this is an important recommendation for patients after myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery and those at risk of cardiovascular disease. Aerobic exercise is recommended as both primary and secondary prevention. "People with cardiovascular diseases should ensure a healthy diet and regular physical activity allowing, among other things, to reduce body weight, lower blood pressure and increase overall fitness," says Professor Andrzej Bochenek of the American Heart of Poland.
The return to physical activity after cardiovascular surgery depends, among other things, on the age of the patient. "If the surgery was performed on a patient in his or her 30s, it is known that he or she will be able to return more quickly to all the physical activities he or she was doing before the surgery. On the other hand, in patients of senior age, after cardiac surgery, activity under the care of rehabilitation therapists is recommended six weeks after surgery. Physical exertion of a person after a myocardial infarction must be considered as rehabilitation. When exercising, the heart rate of such a person should not exceed 120 beats per minute, or even less if they have not played any sport before. One of the activities I recommend is Nordic walking, i.e. walking with poles. This discipline is aimed at people at risk of heart disease, those with high blood pressure, those prone to circulation disorders in the upper and lower limbs, those with postural defects and scoliosis, those who are overweight, but also pregnant women and women after childbirth," adds Professor Bochenek - adds Professor Bochenek.
"Regular Nordic walking strengthens the heart, increases fitness, improves the respiratory and cardiac systems, and engages 90 per cent of the muscular system, or as many as 600 muscles. Of course, not all parts work equally. The back muscles of the arms, the muscles of the shoulder girdle and the gluteal muscles play a huge role, while, for example, the rectus abdominis muscle only has a stabilising function. In addition, it burns up to 46 per cent more calories than during normal walking - you can lose 400-800 kcal in an hour, reduces pressure on the joints (including knee, hip and spine joints) and muscle tension in the neck, shoulders and back," explains Andrzej Bochenek.
Physical activity for people with cardiovascular conditions must be adapted to the patient's capabilities so that it does not become a source of additional risk. "It is absolutely necessary to remember that during the summer period, staying out in the sun during peak heat (11.00-17.00) is not a good idea. Even a healthy person who does not exercise during this time is at risk of dehydration and sunstroke. It is better to exercise outside early in the morning or late in the evening. It is worth mentioning that a morning workout is very good for the functioning of the body throughout the day. In addition, we must pay special attention to adequate hydration by drinking water regularly," emphasises Prof. Bochenek.
"If before Nordic walking training we weighed 78 kg, and after walking with poles we weigh 77 kg, we can assume that this kilogram less on the scale - this is primarily a loss of water, which is why proper hydration is so important. Remember that you should not drink all at once, because if you do, your body will excrete part of the fluid you have consumed, so you will still not be optimally hydrated," adds Professor Andrzej Bochenek.
As part of the cycle The heart loves sport The American Heart of Poland Group publishes free expert advice to encourage physical activity. Professor Andrzej Bochenek is co-founder of the American Heart of Poland Group, which includes the Polish-American Heart Clinics.
Source: mzdrowie.pl