Exercising with a Heart Condition During the Summer
Your heart beats faster and works harder in high heat and humidity of the summer to keep your body cool. For people with heart disease, this extra stress on your heart could be dangerous.
For the vast majority of people, exercise will benefit your heart. If you have a diagnosed heart condition, it’s best to get advice from a healthcare professional about what exercise is right for you. If you’re enrolled in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, this will include exercises that are safe and tailored to you and your condition. For exercise during a Cardiac Rehab session- your heart rate, blood pressure and symptoms are monitored closely and exercise can be progressed at a rate that is appropriate to you. If you don’t have a doctor or are not enrolled in a cardiac rehab program – consider a Comprehensive Exam with Advanced Cardiac Package at Princeton Longevity Center. Your body and heart will be fully assessed and you will meet with both a physician and Exercise Physiologist trained to recommend a safe and effective program for the summer or any time of year.
Does Heart Medication Affect My Ability to Exercise?
Some medications, such as metoprolol and atenolol (beta blockers), can affect the way your body responds to the demands of exercise. The level and type of exercise you can achieve may be affected or diminished while on these drugs. During the summer there are additional concerns you should consider too. Some beta blockers and diuretics can deplete minerals your body needs and can increase the chances of dehydration – making your heart work harder. ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers can exaggerate the way the body responds to the heat and can cause you to feel sick. Some people experience very little or no effect on their ability to be active even while on medication. But all precautions while on these medications should be taken especially in the heat of the summer and while exercising.
It’s important to keep taking your medications and you should consider consulting an exercise physiologist who can assess your individual exercise responses and tailor your exercise plan while determining how your medication is affecting your ability to exercise . Most people who attend cardiac rehabilitation can exercise with minimal problems even on medication and attain the benefits of exercise and being healthier. You should always discuss side effects or symptoms experienced during exercise with your cardiac team to determine if your program is safe and effective.
Managing Exercise Goals After a Heart Problem
If you have heart disease or a congenital heart condition, set realistic goals and build up your exercise routine gradually. Starting an exercise routine after a diagnosis of heart disease can be daunting enough without having goals that are hard to achieve or are unrealistic. Being unable to achieve these goals could demotivate you and be an obstacle to achieving optimal health.
Realistic exercise goals should include gradual increases in intensity which will be much easier to achieve than attempting to go from zero to hero in one large step. Your body needs time to cope and adjust to the change in physical demands. Slow and steady wins the race!
My Top Tips for Exercising with a Heart Condition During the Summer
Avoid exercising outdoors when it is very hot. Try this indoor, no equipment HIIT Workout with a modified option for lower exertion
If you have to exercise outside – aim for early morning or late evening when the weather is cooler
