Over time, a diet high in cholesterol and fat can lead to the development of coronary artery disease, a condition that can clog your arteries. When the arteries become clogged, blood cannot flow as effectively to the heart, which causes symptoms like chest pain or a burning sensation in the chest. If you experience these symptoms or a heart attack, which means an artery is completely blocked, your physician may recommend a stent as a mechanical means of keeping your artery open. After surgery, your physician may recommend exercise as a means to enhance your heart health and help you maintain a healthy weight.
Warning
Obtain approval from your physician before beginning an exercise program. Your physician can make recommendations about healthy activities for your specific condition. Your physician may recommend a cardiac rehabilitation program where health-care professionals can closely monitor your heart while exercising.
Walking
Walking is one of the best exercises after a stent because it is a low-impact exercise that helps you strengthen the heart. Start by walking in short time increments four to five times per day, about three to five minutes at a time. Add a few minutes each week until you reach 10 minutes at a time. Slowly decrease the frequency of your exercise sessions in favor of longer sessions of about 30 minutes each.
Biking
Stationary bicycling is another low-impact exercise that is recommended after stent surgery. This type of cycling is preferred to outdoor cycling because outdoor cycling can cause you to ride over lumps and bumps. After you are able to walk for 10 minutes at a time, try cycling at a speed of between 40 and 50 revolutions per minute. Slowly increase your time increments by two minutes each week until you are able to cycle for 30 to 40 minutes at a time. At this point, you can increase the resistance to make your exercise session more intense.
Resistance Band Exercises
You can use a resistance band -- a stretchy elastic band -- after stent surgery to increase your range of motion and build muscle. Start with four to six exercises with three to five repetitions, increasing your repetitions over time. Examples of exercises include bicep curls and chest presses. You can hold the band at either end and step on it, bending your legs to squat down. Another exercise involves sitting on the floor with the band around the balls of your feet and pointing and flexing your feet.
References
- Texas Heart Institute: Balloon Angioplasty and Stents
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: What to Expect After a Stent Procedure
- "Journal of the American College of Cardiology"; Early Exercise After Coronary Stenting Is Safe; Dr. Marco Roffi, et al; 2003
- MayoClinic.com: Cardiac Rehabilitation
- University of Wisconsin Health: Exercise and Activity After Heart Surgery
- University of Southern California: A Patient's Guide to Heart Surgery
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