Organizing activities for the older age heart disease patients needs appropriate exercises that are more effective and advantageous for them.  Patients either having pharmaceutical or medical treatment such as balloon or stent operations, including patients having heart disease due to the aging of their organs, should exercise to make the heart become healthier and stronger.  Exercising helps muscles, joints, lungs, blood vessels and the heart become more active and slow down natural aging.  Patients can have a better body balance, blood pressure, body weight and blood fat and sugar controls, also sexual capacity.  Besides, exercise can help reduce stress.  To have the best results from exercise, patients should select the type of exercise which is most appropriate and gives the best physical development.

Most of exercises are for the strength of the heart and body.  This can be effective if we perform an aerobic dance, walking, swimming or cycling for at least 20-30 minutes at a time.
1. Warm up: before exercising, stretch the arms and legs to avoid injury caused by exercising.  Then stretch the large muscles and start with slow and soft exercise before slowly increasing the speed and intensity.  For example, start with walking slowly and increase the pace until you think the speed is appropriate for your body strength.  For the older person and heart disease patients, they  should take 10 minutes for warming up to have less risk of injury while exercising and stimulate the heart blood vessels function and the lungs which will prevent a lack of blood bringing the necessary oxygen to the heart.
2. Work out: for this step, increase the speed and intensity till it is possible for your body to maintain this for 20-60 minutes.  The best way is to exercise in the medium or low intensity rate.  For beginners, you should not start with very difficult exercise, so please begin with slow exercise for 30 minutes and then you can increase the intensity to at least 3 times a weeks or every other day.
3. Cooling down: after working out please slowly decrease the speed and intensity.  For example, change from running into fast walking, then decrease the speed until you stop.  For older people or the heart disease patients, you should take 10 minutes for this stage and please finish by stretching the muscles in your legs and arms to cool down your muscles, tendons and joints.  This step is the same as the warm up.  This can help you reduce any after-effects caused by the exercise.
Remarks: if you have any problem with your health such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, high fat content in your blood or deterioration in the joints, please see a doctor before choosing the type of exercise.
Other exercises such as for muscular strength: Weight lifting and push-ups are also good for your health as this will increase muscular and heart strength.  The heart will work with more efficiency.  However, not all patients can exercise this way, you have to consult with your doctor to ensure it is safe for you.  For people who are above 40 years and people who have not exercised for a long time, please consult your doctor to help you select appropriate exercise.
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital’s Heart Center is pleased to serve you. For further information, please call our Contact Center 1719.