Exercise is important to your drive of becoming heart healthy. At what level you are in heart attack recovery determines what exercises and at what exertion you should attempt. First of all you do not attempt any exercises including walking until you have discussed this with your cardiologist. He will know based on your ongoing exams when and how much exertion should be a safe level for you. Lets us assume you are okay to go moderately which based on my experience and opinion should be the maximum level for any beginning heart patient. Walking is number one. Start slow and short walks as most of us did in the beginning. You will know at what pace and distance you are capable. Do not push yourself too far in the beginning. My first 4 months was all walking. I began short walks,(less that 100 yards) the first week home. I grew that to a couple of miles at at fast pace after about 4 or 5 months. I never pushed myself past my limits. My heart rate and breathing were my guide. I was going for endurance at a sensible pace to regain my normal physical strength. There were times when my breathing or heart rate became elevated and when that happened I simply stopped and rested myself before finishing my walk. I elevated from that to joining a fitness center to move forward in a full physical recovery. Remember you are in a long term process to achieve lasting results in becoming physically healthy. Exercise, weight control, and the foods you eat are all equally important in how successful you will become in reaching your goals.
