Gymnastics after a heart attack at home

Myocardial infarction in the modern world is recognized as a common pathology, the essence of which is prolonged ischemia of the heart muscle, which is the cause of necrosis. In most cases, it occurs in men. To reduce the severity of the consequences, each person must complete a course of remedial measures. There are several stages of rehabilitation - a hospital, a sanatorium and at home.

Why do you need exercise therapy after a heart attack?

Gymnastics after a heart attack at home is mandatory for training the heart muscle and vascular tone. When performed correctly, physical activity also affects the most important indicators of the normalization of the body:

• activation of the optimal activity of the respiratory system;
• restoration of the regulatory work of the nervous and hormonal systems;
• increasing the efficiency of the functioning of the excretory organs.

As the primary tasks that exercise therapy solves after a heart attack, the following positions can be distinguished:

• improvement of metabolism in the myocardium and microcirculation;
• prevention of coronary arteries;
• decrease in the need of the heart muscle for oxygen;
• normalization of peripheral flow in the arms and legs;
• expansion of the coronary arteries;
• decreased response to hormonal functions of the adrenal glands;
• prevention of complications that occur after a person has experienced a heart attack;
• normalization of standard activities - return to everyday things, household and workloads;
• elimination of key causes of recurrence of a heart attack.

As a result, physical activity after myocardial infarction and stenting, performed according to the prescribed technology, can improve the quality of life and prevent relapse.

What are the indications and contraindications for exercise therapy?

Exercises are primarily recommended for all patients with myocardial infarction who have achieved stabilization of the condition, which does not imply a threat to a person's vital signs. Only with these indications, physical activity will have the proper effect of recovery and the greatest benefit for the patient's body.

However, there are categories of patients who cannot use exercise therapy after myocardial infarction until the following conditions are eliminated:

• a high degree of circulatory failure, which means shortness of breath and a pulse exceeding 105 beats per minute at rest;
• swelling of the lung tissue, wheezing;
• intense pain in the heart;
• feverish state;
• violation of the heart rhythm;
• worsening ECG results.

Physicians provide physical exercises after a heart attack, which have no contraindications, but their range is significantly limited and does not have such significant recovery effects.

What sports activities and how to do in the hospital?

The first degree of activity, characterized by adherence to bed rest, implies the need to perform exercises slowly and only after getting rid of pain and complications. After each cycle, it is necessary to relax the groups of muscles involved. The workout continues for 10 minutes.

The set of exercises consists of the following movements:

• finger flexion;
• rotation with brushes, feet;
• relaxation and tension of the muscles of the arms and legs;
• breathing exercises.

If the intensity is optimal, then training will give the following results:

• increase in maximum heart rate to 20 beats or slow down to 10;
• Heart rate more than usual for 10 cycles;
• an increase in pressure less than 30 for systolic and 10 for diastolic.

At the second stage, the patient's recovery takes place according to the ward regime. Indications for the appointment of a new set of exercises: the formation of a coronary T wave on the cardiogram and a normal reaction to the gymnastics of the previous stage.

The main movements are:

• sitting down at the table;
• walking next to the bed and around the ward;
• movement in the elbow, shoulder and knee joints.

The transition to the third stage occurs when the T wave is formed. The essence of the training is in the following exercises:

• walking along the corridor up to 200 steps in 2-3 visits;
• walks along the corridor space without restrictions;
• self service for all needs.

The fourth degree of activity involves transfer to sanatorium conditions and adaptation to domestic conditions. It provides for the performance of movements in large joints, loads on the spinal muscles. Duration - no more than 35 minutes with obligatory breaks.  

Exercise therapy: a set of exercises at home

Physical therapy after a heart attack is carried out in several stages.

The first is carried out during the first 2-2.5 months by performing the following exercises:

• walking: normal for 4 minutes in the amount of 120 steps per minute; on the sides of the feet, heels and toe for 17-20 seconds; with high knee lift up to 1 minute.
• easy running at 125 steps per minute;
• simple elements of sports games, whether it be volleyball or basketball.;
• training on special simulators (for example, on a bicycle ergometer).

Loads require mandatory and constant monitoring of the pulse. Before you begin to perform the exercises, you first need to undergo examinations using an ECG when performing individual elements of exercise therapy. Thus, the optimal heart rate during training and the permissible intensity of training are determined.

Gymnastics after a heart attack is carried out at least three times a week with a standard duration of 10 minutes. If the patient experiences discomfort, it is necessary to give the body a rest for the allotted time or completely stop the exercise.

Depending on the assigned group, after preliminary examinations, an acceptable norm is established. So, a strong category can continue to exercise until the heart rate increases by 65-70% of the optimal indicators. For the weak group, values ​​of 55-60% are allocated. The average characteristic is 135 beats per minute.

2. The second stage is implemented for 5 months and provides for the need for a slow or medium run for 3 minutes. There is also a volleyball lesson with a restriction on horse racing: an average of 10 minutes per game with a mandatory one-minute rest every 4 minutes. Deviation of heart rate from the prescribed norm: 85% for a strong group and 75% for a weak one.

3. At the third stage (3 months are allotted for it), identical physical exercises are performed, but with an increased duration of up to 15-20 minutes.

We must not forget that it is important to do gymnastics after waking up at all stages of exercise therapy, since with its help you can switch to normal work activity after sleep in a short period of time. Standard charging performed in a home environment is as follows:

• legs are shoulder-width apart, arms along the body - stretch them up and inhale - lower and exhale (5 times);
• hands on the belt - turn to the left, exhaling - turn to the right;
• sit down, stretch your legs - bend in the back and take a breath, head back - exhale, take the original position.

Older people should exclude the implementation of inclinations, as well as get rid of power loads after a heart attack. For them, the best option would be breathing exercises.

Features of exercise therapy for patients with extrasystole

A patient with a pacemaker must remember that he is advised to always have a heart rate monitor with him and carefully monitor the pulse rate. In the event of signs of poor health and the manifestation of extrasystoles, it is necessary to immediately stop performing any loads. Special attention should be paid to ventricular pacemakers, because in comparison with sinus pacemakers they are more dangerous and can cause the development of arrhythmias that threaten the patient's life. Physical activity in such cases is strictly limited - it is important to avoid sports and fitness.

And yet, doctors provide for permitted exercises after a heart attack, which can be done at home:

• walks on foot every day;
• morning exercises for 15 minutes;
• strictly limited swimming or cycling.

Breathing exercises after myocardial infarction are also perfect.

How does he evaluate the adequacy of gymnastics?

Rehabilitation after myocardial infarction is a process during which it is required to strictly adhere to the tactics drawn up by the doctor, taking into account many vital factors, as well as the desire of the patient himself to get rid of the consequences of MI in a short time. However, the need for exercise therapy may persist for more than one year - it all depends on the severity of the condition. With the help of special rehabilitation centers, the patient can learn all the effective methods of exercise therapy for their successful application in practice at home. The validity of the use of a particular exercise is assessed taking into account the criteria provided.

So, if the patient is able to move to higher levels in accordance with the time elapsed since the moment of the disease, it is permissible to speak about the adequacy of the approved loads. You can testify to positive results through test results (spirometry, bicycle ergometry).

conclusions

Any person who has had a myocardial infarction is obliged to promote a change in their own lifestyle and pay as much attention to their health as possible, passing medical examinations in a timely manner. The loads should be commensurate with the current state, since with an inadequate approach, rehabilitation measures can only do harm.