Cardiac rehabilitation programme Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease Back at homeBack to 'normal' Patient informationSeasonal advice

For the first few days at home you should take things easy, doing not much more than you were doing in hospital. You can introduce light activities such as washing up and preparing light meals. You may feel tired at this stage so set time aside each day to rest or sleep.

 

 

What is too much activity?

See 'Risk factors for coronary heart disease'

> Activity

 

 

You are working too hard if:

• You cannot ‘walk and talk’ for example if you cannot say your telephone number, including the area code, out loud and without gasping. If this happens slow down until you can say your telephone number without gasping.
  
  
• You become excessively tired. (either during or some time after exercise / activity).
  
  
• You have chest pain or discomfort (angina).

 

 

 

Please note:

• Do not exercise if you feel unwell, such as have a cold or flu.
  
  
• Wait at least two hours after a meal before you go for a walk.
  
  
• If extremely cold weather brings on symptoms of angina you may have to Avoid going outside at this stage on particularly cold days.
  
  
• In extremely hot weather you may tire more easily.

Always remember to pace yourself.

 

 

If you get chest pain

• stop exercising but keep your leg muscles working by moving your feet.
  
  
• take two or three controlled breaths.

If discomfort remains consider using GTN spray

> Medication

 

Activities to avoid at the moment

 

Avoid heavy lifting for about three months after your cardiac event. This is anything which you as an individual find heavy, for some people this may be lifting heavy washing or carrying heavy shopping bags.

 

Avoid any activity that involves a short sharp effort that makes you grunt: e.g. heavy digging, mowing the lawn, hoovering, pushing or tugging as hard as you can against an object such as pushing a wheelbarrow or moving heavy furniture. Avoid sustained arm work when arms are above shoulder height.

 

 

 

 

 

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