If you have been diagnosed with a weakened heart due to a medical condition, you may be afraid to strain it.Your doctor and medical team can help you strengthen your heart.Your doctor may recommend ways to strengthen your heart.You will be advised to make lifestyle changes, either as part of a cardiac rehab program or as recommended by your doctor.
Step 1: Your doctor can give you treatment advice.
If you have a weakened heart due to congestive heart failure, a heart attack, or some other cause, you will have plenty of experience being around doctors.If you want to strengthen your cardiovascular system, you should work with your primary care physician and any specialists who have treated you to come up with a plan.Weakened hearts need to be strengthened in order to either improve or sustain their current capabilities.Always seek out and follow the advice of your medical team if you want to strengthen a weak heart.If you want to make your heart stronger, you should consult your doctor.
Step 2: Before starting an exercise program, you need medical clearance.
It is possible that exercises that strengthen one person's weakened heart will cause damage to another.It is so important that you get a personalized evaluation of your condition, including specific guidance on any exercise regimen you should begin.A friend of yours who had a heart attack is getting good results from an exercise program.Individualized exercise programs are required for weakened hearts.Before making any changes to your exercise program, consult your doctor.
Step 3: If you have a heart condition, take any medications that are prescribed to you.
Regardless of the cause of your weakened heart, you will most likely be put on several prescription medications.It is essential that you take your medication the same way you were prescribed it.Common heart failure medications include captopril, enalapril and fosinopril.Losartan and valsartan are ARBs.Arins are similar to the combination sacubitril/valsartan.The blockers include metoprolol and carvedilol.Furosemide, bumetanide, and torsemide are some of the uretics.Blood thinners are anticoagulants.Statins reducecholesterol.
Step 4: Discuss surgical procedures that can benefit your heart.
Depending on the nature of your weakened heart, one or more of several surgical options may help to either maintain or improve your cardiovascular function.Discuss the benefits and risks of recommended procedures with your doctor and heart specialists.Implanting an internal defibrillator to correct arrhythmias is one of your options.An LVAD helps your left ventricle pump blood.The therapy improves cardiac efficiency.A procedure to clear arteries.Blood flow around blocked arteries can be re-routed.Other measures can't sustain cardiac function.
Step 5: If you are medically eligible, you can get a referral for cardiac rehab.
Cardiac rehab focuses on diet, exercise, lifestyle, and mental health for a person recovering from a heart attack or other cardiovascular issues.Cardiac rehabilitation programs in the United States require a referral in order to enroll.Improved cholesterol, decreased blood pressure, and the prevention of type 2 diabetes are some of the benefits of cardiac rehab.Work with your doctor to determine which cardiac rehab program is best for you.The cardiac rehab program should be certified by the government authority where you live, as well as by a professional organization dedicated to cardiac care.Staff members should be certified as well.If you don't qualify for a referral to cardiac rehab, work with your doctor and other members of your medical team to replicate the major elements of a rehab program.
Step 6: Start with your doctor's recommendation.
If you have been diagnosed with a medical condition that has weakened your heart, it is vital that you follow your doctor's guidance in beginning an exercise program.You should still talk to your doctor about your goals and how best to achieve them if you are just looking for ways to make your heart stronger.You can start slowly by taking a short walk and doing a few light stretches.Or, it could be that you progress from your current walking regimen into a more advanced one.Working too hard and too fast can cause further damage to your cardiovascular system.It is possible to exercise a weak heart at the same time.
Step 7: A walking program is an easy way to get exercise.
If you are starting an exercise regimen for the first time or trying to get back up to speed after a heart attack, your doctor may recommend a walking program.Walking is the easiest way to get aerobic exercise for someone with a weakened heart.You could be advised to begin your program by walking slowly for a few minutes each day.You can build up to walking for 30 minutes a day over a period of weeks or months.The goal is to breathe more heavily than normal but still be able to have a conversation.
Step 8: Strength training exercises can be added to your routine.
You should make room for resistance and flexibility exercises in your aerobic exercise program.Doing all three types of exercise can help you manage your weight, build muscle, and improve your balance and flexibility, all of which will help reduce the strain on your heart.You can join a yoga class or do a range of seated or standing stretches.If you want to strength train with a weakened heart, you should avoid the use of sit-ups and pull-up weights and only use weights of no more than 5–10 lbs.
Step 9: It's a good idea to avoid exercising in cold, hot, or humid weather.
If the temperature is below 20 F and the humidity is over 80 percent, you should move your exercises indoors.Exercising in cold, hot, or humid conditions can cause extra strain on your heart.When the weather is bad, use the long, climate-controlled corridors of the shopping mall to your advantage.
Step 10: If you notice signs of trouble, stop exercising and get help.
If you have a weakened heart, it is important that you listen to your body while exercising.If you feel fatigued or short of breath, stop exercising and rest for 15 minutes.If you still feel the same, you can call your doctor.If your doctor recommends 120 beats per minute for your heart rate, you should rest for 15 minutes and seek help if the condition doesn't improve.Don't ignore chest pain while exercising.Get help if you feel pain in your chest.Even if you only lose consciousness for a short time, you should seek emergency help.
Step 11: If you want to improve your diet, you have to do it as recommended by your doctor.
The healthy diet recommended for the population at large is the same as the diet that is used to strengthen a weak heart.If you want to fill out your plate, you should eat lots of fruits and vegetables and lean meats.You will need to cut back on processed foods and saturated and trans fats at the same time.Maintaining a healthy weight, keeping your blood pressure under control, and limiting plaque build up in your arteries will benefit your weakened heart.Keep up the diet they advise for you after you complete cardiac rehab.If you are not in a cardiac rehab program, you should work with your doctor and a nutritionist to find the best diet for you.
Step 12: You can quit smoking.
Smoking is a major risk factor for a range of cardiovascular problems, as well as a host of other diseases and medical issues.If you continue to smoke, it will be impossible to strengthen your heart.There are a lot of treatment options to help you quit.Determine the best combination of treatments with your doctor.
Step 13: You can find ways to reduce stress.
Excess stress causes a rise in blood pressure, which can lead to a weakened heart.Try meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises if you want to reduce stress in your daily life.Spending time outdoors.Changing jobs or making changes at work.Spending more time on activities that you enjoy makes you calm.Someone is meeting with a mental health professional.
Step 14: Aim to get more sleep at night.
Your weakened heart can be recovered by sleeping, which allows every part of your body to rest.Your heart probably isn't getting the recovery time it needs if you're not getting a lot of sleep.It's a good idea to talk to your doctor or sleep specialist about strategies.Making your sleeping area more pleasant.It's best to avoid things like exercise, coffee, and stress at night.It is recommended that you use sleep aids under the guidance of your doctor.
Step 15: Professional and loved ones can provide emotional support.
Dealing with a weakened heart can have a major psychological impact.Many cardiac rehab programs include counseling sessions with mental health professionals.Make sure you get emotional support if you aren't in cardiac rehab.Counseling sessions provide a safe place for you to talk about your fears or concerns, and they can help give you the confidence and motivation to take the necessary actions to strengthen your heart.Meeting with a mental health professional and attending a support group for people with cardiac issues are two examples of simpler opportunities.