Home Activities and Adjustments

Many activities must be approached a little differently after you have experienced a heart attack, undergone angioplasty with stent placement or received coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The Home Activities and Adjustment page offers suggestions for how to safely undertake a variety of activities following a cardiac event. Please keep in mind that this is a general guide and should not replace the advice of your physician.

How should I handle...

• driving a car
  Be sure to discuss driving with your cardiologist and or cardiac surgeon. In general, patients who have had a heart attack or heart surgery will be restricted from driving longer than an angioplasty/stent patient. When on long trips, remember to stop and walk around every couple hours. If that is not possible, keep your legs active by stretching them while sitting.
• airplane travel
  Get to the airport early and take full advantage of early boarding procedures. Walk through the aisles of the plane to keep legs active. If that is not possible, stretch your legs while sitting.
• snow shoveling
  Cardiac patients must be cautious about any form of exercise in cold weather. About one-third of cardiac patients report a worsening of their angina during cold weather exertion. This is due to the constriction of blood vessels to conserve body heat. When the blood vessels constrict, the heart is deprived of oxygenated blood. Snow shoveling is considered an anaerobic activity because it is natural to hold one's breath to generate the energy necessary to lift a heavy load.
• sexual intercourse
  Studies have shown sexual intercourse to be similar to climbing two flights of stairs. It is not a particularly risky activity as long as common sense is used (i.e. in a comfortable environment, with the same partner and not after a heavy meal).

What about special situations?

Exercise on Cold Winter Days

• Exercise indoors if the temperature or wind chill is 20 degrees or lower.
• Walk during the warmer part of the day (10 a.m.-2 p.m.).
• Dress warmly, using several layers of thin clothing.
• Wear a hat. As much as 40 percent of body heat is lost through the head/neck.
• Wear a protective covering over your nose and mouth to warm the air before it enters your system.

Exercise on Hot Humid Days

• Exercise indoors if the temperature is 85 degrees, or humidity is 85 percent or higher.
• Walk during the coolest part of the day (8 a.m.-10 a.m. or
  6 p.m.-10 p.m.).
• Wear light, loose fitting clothing to allow perspiration to evaporate.
• Drink water before, during and after exercise. This helps control body heat and replaces fluids lost through perspiration.
• Don't exercise outdoors on "ozone alert" days. Use an indoor alternative.

Exercise After Eating
Wait one hour after eating a substantial meal before you exercise. This will decrease the risk of cramping, nausea, or undue strain on your heart.

Feeling Sick
Lower the exercise workload or take a day or two off from exercise until you feel better.