Time To Move

We're moving!  Not the blog.  Not US.  I'm talking about getting off the sofa and move a little...or a lot.

http://www.bhrec.org/rec/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=165&Itemid=106

According to uwhealth.org, "After a heart attack, the damaged heart muscle needs time to heal.  This involves allowing scar tissue to form.  The scar from a heart attack needs about 6 weeks to become strong enough to handle moderate to heavy work."  This also depends on how sever the heart attack was.  Obviously, the more sever the heart attack, the longer it will take.

WHY should I do any exercise?  There are many reasons you need to move after a heart attack.  It decreases the heart's need for oxygen.  It reduces your triglycerides and bad cholesterol and INcreases the good cholesterol.  It lowers blood pressure.  It helps your body create tiny new blood vessels which bypass clogged vessels.  It reduces the amount the blood clots and plaque build-up. It helps you lose or manage your weight.  It also reduces stress and helps improve your emotional state of mind.

But what about those of us who despise exercise?  Okay, maybe 'despise' is a strong word.  Exercise doesn't mean yoga, or aerobics.  It can be a nice walk after dinner.  It can be cleaning your house.  It can be raking the leaves.  Mowing the grass.  Throwing a ball with the kids outside.   It can be swimming, rafting, anything that gets you and your heart rate up

You want to start out slow, though, and work your way up.  You don't want to over do it.  And, if you have pain in your chest, by all means, sit down and take a breath.  Drink a LOT of water, too.  When you become dehydrated, it makes the heart work harder than it should.

http://animationsa2z.com/gym-physical-health-club3.php

After my heart attack, it was hard for me to get up and exercise.  It still is.  I hate walking.  It makes my back hurt and now, with a torn ligament in my foot, at times, almost impossible.  It's boring.  So, I have found other things to get this heart rate of mine up....cleaning my house, for example.  I turn up the music and get after it!  I move my hips when I am dusting.  I dance when mopping the floors (the mop IS my partner).  I reach high to clean the trim and squat low to clean the base boards.  I work in my yard.  I move blocks. I rake leaves.  I plant flowers.  I trim the edging, fence line and ditches.  I take the dogs outside and play with them.  And, when I get tired, I rest.

Things take a little longer than they used to before my heart attack.  I get tired more easy now.  This has taken me a little longer to accept and I get aggravated about it more.  However, I know I have to do it.

SO, let's get up and move a little today.