For those with heart conditions.???

shandy32

What type of exercise do you do.?

I am still under investigation for my heart so i dont know all that is wrong with me as of yet . I find that just walking up my stairs gets my heart pounding and im feeling breathless. I am starting zumba at home and so far seem to be ok with that.

How do you manage???

Zuznana

I use to have terrible palpitations. It was like you are going to die. Had it checked and they found my heart to be slightly enlarged (it's dilated cardiomyopathy). I lost weight and haven't had them for ages. I just spoke to my doctor about extreme cardio workouts (like insanity and the likes) and she said that it's fine as long as I start slow and ease myself into it. But given that my one is only tiny, I have the all clear to do it. I think it will depend on what your doctor says when you have all the tests done. Good luck, I hope it's nothing major.

And as for the exercise, I use bike, cross trainer, Leslie Sansone walks and am first week into a 30 day shred and after that I want to do insanity. I also started doing the C25K and am at week 4. So far, no problems so all is good.

Charli666

I keep a close eye on my heart rate, stop before most people would, generally take it a bit easier, and get checked up by doctors or specialists monthly, make sure i eat well, and remember that my heart will be sooo much healthier when i get this weight off,

i've kinda figured that other than keep an eye on it, eat well and lose this weight, theres not much i can do

Charli666

as for exercise i do a lot of walking, wii fit and stuff, things i can do near home or at home, so i can stop when i need to

fuzzymel

I built my fitness up extremely slowly. I first asked to doctor what I was allowed to do. She wrote me a note to take to the gym.

I then got a personal trainer who worked with me. I started just doing work on the bike, walking on the treadmill and some weights. This was a maximum of three times a week.

I then took on body balance and toning classes. After 8 months or so I started more intense classes such as spinning.

It has been much slower than most people but I now work out 6 times a week and feel great. My doctor told me to listen to my body and I do try to do that as much as possible. If I am tired I will rest. If I am sick I rest.

bjshooter

I think it would be a massive difference, depending on what is wrong with your heart, compared to someone else. Do they have any idea? I would speak to your doctor about exercise with your particular condition. I have something and they are not sure what, their best guess is something called potts. No one every mentioned not doing exercise, so I just do whatever and stop if I feel il.

Elle408

I'm assuming you've spoken to your doctor about what kind of exercise you can do safely? If not, do that!

I have a dilated aorta and have a whole huge list of things I shouldn't do with regards to exercise, which is predominantly why I didn't take up an exercise regime until I lost the weight and got to goal. Now i'm there i've started going to the gym daily and doing cardio and strength training. I have the ok from my doctor but I still can't push it. I won't ever run faster than 5-7mph or lift heavier than about 30kg but there's still lots I can do.

Firstly, think about how you're feeling at the start of your exercise. If you're feeling run down or sickly then it's best to lay off it for that day or just go for a steady walk for 30 minutes or so. If you're feeling fine then do some steady cardio, something that raises your heart rate a little and doesn't take you from resting to pounding too quickly. Make sure you're getting a good 'warm up' too and if at any point you're feeling faint or dizzy, slow it down and stop! If I ever get palpitations or dizziness then I stop and lay it off for a while and learn from that session that it was too much and try not to go there to that intensity again.

Just remember that with heart conditions, it's always best to err on the side of caution. I did a couple of weeks of just walking to get back in to exercise and found then that sometimes it was too much but now I feel like i'm at a good place with my fitness and the usual attack of palpitations I have when I go up stairs or stand up too quickly has lessened somewhat!

**Take this advice with a pinch of salt and always go with your doctors recommendations first! **

LaurnWhit

I have heart valve problems and other heart problems and my cardiologist said 'no weights more than 10 lbs in reptition and no push-ups or sit-ups, to watch my sodium intake, eat healthy and stay within a normal BMI.

shandy32

Thanx everyone xxxx

I have am seeing my heart consultant on thursday for the first time so i will ask then.

I am still undergoing investigation for my heart so dont really know whats what yet xxxx

Thanx for all the replies xxx

Jain

I have a hole in the heart & my heart is enlarged.

To be honest I'm pretty gung-ho about it, I've know about it all my life & growing up my Mum tried to wrap me in cotton wool. But a a real tomboy I was having non of it! :laugh:

I use a recumbent bike, ark cross trainer and the treadmill atm plus weights. I hike regularly, and have done long distance (200 miles +) hikes too. But I know my limits and when I've had enough then I stop.

Good luck with your diagnosis.

shandy32

Thankyou x