MAILBAG: Exercise AFTER a Heart Attack?
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted March 21, 2023
“My wife had a heart attack a few months ago. She’s sitting around and doing even less than she did before.
I’m a regular reader and know you’ve mentioned moving is important for heart attack patients. What are some safe things she can do to keep moving? How much should she move?”
– Rob from Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Hi Rob,
I’m sorry to hear about your wife.
It’s vital that heart attack patients talk with their doctor before starting any exercise program. Their physician is the most familiar with their case and will understand their capabilities.
It used to be common to have people rest after a heart attack. But we now know folks recover QUICKER when they move.
Keep in mind that depression is quite common after a life-threatening event like a heart attack. Suddenly you have a sense of your own mortality, and you can develop a lack of confidence in your body.
In other words, exercising can be hard when you fear your body might break again.
But once the doc has given a thumb’s up to exercise, ANY movement is a positive step towards full recovery. Research shows maintaining or increasing your activity after a heart attack can help you live LONGER.
In fact, one study found that heart attack survivors who exercise for 2.5 hours a week have a 39 percent lower chance of dying from ANY cause.
Simply walking around the house, taking the stairs, or stretching is a great place to start. The time spent exercising and the intensity of the workouts can be gradually increased as fitness and confidence grow.
When you’re helping a loved one recover from a heart attack, I recommend picking out activities they enjoy that don’t even feel like exercise. Perhaps suggest a walk in the woods, shopping, or taking a road trip to see friends or family.
There’s no rush. Just keep moving. In this case, slow and steady really DO win the race.
P.S. THIS bedroom secret is crucial for your heart health and can LOWER your risk of death post-heart attack by 35 percent. HERE’S what you need to know.
Source:
“Physical Activity and Mortality among Male Survivors of Myocardial Infarction.” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 52(8):p 1729-1736, August 2020. | DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002309
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
“Time Travel” Technique Predicts Dementia 20 Years EARLY?
Did you ever watch those old time-travel movies when you were a kid? I sure did—and I loved to daydream about being able to see the future. Well, now a new international study may have just uncovered a way for us to experience something similar. It’s probably not quite how you imagined it as a...
Are Your Ears Giving You a Hidden Warning?
Do you struggle to follow conversations in crowded restaurants? Or do you find yourself repeatedly asking, “What?” at big family gatherings like Thanksgiving? Most people brush this off as a normal part of aging. But groundbreaking research suggests this common problem could be an early WARNING SIGN of something far more serious… A massive study...
Liver Brain Link Will Have You Rethinking Memory Loss
Here’s something that might surprise you… Your liver could be secretly sabotaging your brain health. We know that what happens in the liver doesn’t always stay in the liver. But now, groundbreaking research reveals just how deeply this vital organ’s health is connected to a critical aspect of aging… your memory and thinking skills. Scientists...
Nature’s Pharmacy Knocks Out Long COVID Symptoms
I’ve had many people ask me about Long COVID recently. It’s a big concern because it’s affecting more survivors than you might think. If you’re one of them—before you resign yourself to a life of lingering symptoms—there’s hope on the horizon… And it comes straight from Mother Nature herself. Recent data paints a sobering picture....
11 Hacks to Beat the Winter Blues
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, many of us find ourselves battling more than just the cold weather. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that strikes during fall and winter, affects millions each year. While the exact causes aren’t fully understood, experts say that seasonal changes disrupt our body’s circadian...
Mailbag: Halt Hair Loss Naturally
“I take a lot of vitamins, but my hair is falling out by the handfuls. I am 85 years old, but don’t have any major health problems that I know of.” – Hair Today Gone Tomorrow Hi Hair Today, I understand your concern about hair loss. Few things make us feel older than our years, quite...
5 Fall Foods to Supercharge Your Immune System
It starts with a tickle in the back of your throat… Or a little sniffle or sneeze—and before you know it, you’re knocked down for the count. Cold and flu season has arrived. If you’ve managed to escape these sneaky little viruses so far, let’s try to keep it that way. Because, let’s be honest,...
Common Chemicals Could Be Sabotaging Your Sleep
Do you have trouble sleeping? Many of us blame common causes like afternoon coffee or evening screen time. But what if the real culprit is something you’d never expect—lurking right in your home? New research points to troubling evidence about how everyday chemicals could sabotage your shut-eye… Scientists have uncovered an alarming link between common...
The Forgotten Berry Your Bones Are Craving
Strawberries and blueberries rank first and second as America’s favorite berries. And, of course, cranberries shoot to the top of the list around this time of year. But there’s another underrated berry we should be giving a second look. Especially if you’re a senior concerned about your bone health. Because new research reveals this unassuming...
Gut Hack Helps You Avoid the Flu
Flu season hasn’t ramped up… yet. According to the CDC’s FluView, we’re still hovering at around one percent of the population testing positive for influenza. That’s fantastic news… but it doesn’t mean it’s time to rest. In fact, NOW is the time to prepare, because this is the calm before this season’s storm. As the...