Adult

Exercise

  • British Heart Foundation: has some great links for exercise ideas such as 10 minute work outs, links for different free apps and even tips on how to stay active in the garden.

    Click Here for 10-minute-workout

    Click here for 7 free apps

    Click here for gardening advice

  • Fitness Blender: Search fitness blender and access free workouts, it lets you choose the duration, type, intensity of the workout and also lets you choose to do it with equipment or not. Suitable for teenagers and adults Click Here

  • Most adult congenital patients have no exercise restrictions, but if you are unsure about levels & types of activity please contact your Cardiologist, Specialist Nurse or Physiotherapist based at the hospital.

  • It is important for everyone to exercise regularly. Heart Research have really good resources for adults with congenital heart problems. Have a look at their website for more information.

    https://chd.heartresearch.org.uk/about-toolkit

  • Specialist Cardiac Physiotherapist

    The role of the specialist physiotherapist is to provide help and advice on all physical activity issues for adults with congenital heart conditions. Exercise and activity is important for everyone even with a congenital cardiac condition, but it is important to work at the right level for your condition. The physiotherapist is able to offer the support you require to continue with activities. All advice needs to be individual to you and your heart and the physiotherapist could help you with

    • Identifying if a sport / activity is suitable for you and your heart
    • Advising on where to start and how to increase activity
    • Discussing if you need to limit particular activities
    • To help you achieve the appropriate level of fitness
    • Help you back to activity after heart surgery
    • If you want to know more about your heart condition and the effects of exercise

    Please contact Specialist Cardiac Physiotherapist Sarah Hibbert 0113 392 0609 or email sarah.hibbert3@nhs.net

  • Here are some videos recommended by our specialist physiotherapist.

  • Benefits of Regular Activity

    Physical
    Increase exercise tolerance
    Improves muscle strength and tone
    Improves function of heart , lungs and circulation
    Helps to facilitate weight loss by increasing metabolic rate
    Improves flexibility
    Helps to reduce muscular aches and pains and pains
    Reduces the risk of osteoporosis
    Reduces risk of developing coronary artery disease
    Helps reduce Blood Pressure
    Reduces Cholesterol
    Reduces the risk of stroke and developing type 2 Diabetes

  • Psychological

    Improves feeling of psychological wellbeing ( Releases endorphins)
    Reduces stress and anxiety
    Helps promote sleep / relaxation
    Boosts self-confidence and self-image

  • Important Points to remember

    Warm up
    Spend 15 minutes gradually warming up and increasing your breathing and heart rate.
    Main Exercise
    This should be done at a hard enough rate to make you feel a “puffed”/ out of breath and feel warm and sweaty.
    You should still be able to talk in full sentences all the time you are working at this level.
    If you cannot talk then you are working too hard and need to slow down
    If you have enough breath to sing then you are not working hard enough.

  • Cool Down
    Gradually slow your pace down and allow your breathing and heart rate to come back to normal.
    Listen to your body and always stay within YOUR capabilities
    Make sure you know what is advised for you to do / not do for YOUR heart condition
    You should aim to do at least 30 minutes exercise most days ie. 5 times a week
    Don’t become dehydrated – especially if you have a cyanotic heart problem
    ALWAYS stop if you feel unwell / pain / dizzy

  • Things to avoid

    Lifting Heavy Weights
    Exercising straight after a meal
    Exercising if you are unwell

    EXERCISE is not just sport / going to the gym. Walking is the best exercise and its FREE
    Find something you enjoy
    Regular exercise is important
    Below are some ideas and links to websites that will help keep you active