If you have been diagnosed with heart disease, you may feel intimidated to exercise, especially if you are older and aren't very active. But a sedentary lifestyle probably helped lead to a heart condition in the first place. Modified and moderate exercise is definitely appropriate, even for elderly heart patients --- you just have to choose exercise and an intensity level that's right for you.
What is Heart Disease?
According to MayoClinic.com, there are a number of conditions under the umbrella of heart disease: coronary artery disease, arrythmias, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, to name a few. Heart disease usually refers to a general blockage or narrowing of the blood vessels, although it can also apply to other congenital heart problems. Worldwide, heart disease causes more deaths, by heart attack or stroke, than any other health condition, and is responsible for close to half the deaths in the United States alone.
Role of Exercise
Lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, are a big part of the treatment protocol for heart disease. If your heart disease is still mild, your doctor might prescribe a healthy diet and moderate exercise to see if your condition improves without medication or invasive surgery. The ultimate goal of moving more is to reduce some of the factors that accelerate heart disease: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Even for elderly patients, moderate exercise can help reduce morbidity from heart disease. It can also help improve symptoms of arthritis pain and osteoporosis.
Getting Started
Most heart patients can safely exercise at home without direct supervision --- but the first step is to get medical clearance from your doctor, cautions Ace Fitness, before you dramatically increase your exercise levels. If you've had a heart attack or chest pain, your physician might do a treadmill test to determine a safe heart rate "zone" for you. She might recommend that you purchase a heart rate monitor to more easily calculate your intensity level. Completely deconditioned individuals can start with five to 10 minutes of exercise, and try to build up to 30 to 60 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Swimming, walking, and biking are all types of exercise that seniors can enjoy if they have aching joints or pain of any kind.
Weight Training for Heart Health
Many heart patients start a basic cardio exercise plan such as walking or jogging, but don't add resistance training to their routine, either because they are uncomfortable in a gym or they are afraid of causing a heart attack by lifting heavy weights.
On the contrary, many doctors will advise moderate weight training for their elderly clients. When medically supervised and tailored to a patient's condition, the American Heart Association says this kind of exercise provides many benefits. In particular, older individuals can enjoy improved balance, increased muscle mass and better range of motion provided by strength training.
Older heart patients who are unfamiliar with proper technique and precautions should hire a certified trainer for their first sessions, advises the AHA.
Precautions
Elderly heart patients can exercise safely if they follow a few simple tips. Specifically, be aware of the effect of any medications on your heart rate.
Avoid working out in extremely hot or cold temperatures. Even extreme cold can interfere with circulation and blood flow.
Carry your nitroglycerin with you if it has been prescribed.
Let your doctor know if you have any symptoms during exercise, including chest or arm pain, difficulty breathing, faintness or dizziness, or extreme fatigue. Men and women often experience different types of pain before a heart attack; about a third of women have only mild discomfort and do not experience chest pain at all, but they are nearly half of the victims of heart attacks each year, according to the Women's Heart Foundation.
