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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It Wise To Swim Harder After Having A Heart Attack?

I had a heart attack in Sept 2012 while in the swiming pool. After a successful stent placement (LDA), I resumed my swimming . I average 4 miles/week since Jan 2013. I kept my heart rate within the suggested Max (135 beat/ minutes). I am 59 years old, currently take Metoprolol, Avatorstatin and Metformin. My recent blood test had shown everything is in the normal range. Question: There are days that I wanted to push my body a bit harder (swimm faster) . Is it wise ? It is quite boring to do the same thing everyday at the same intensity. If possible, how much harder can I go ? Since the only way for me to quantify my effort is by measuring my heart rate ( I have a device that monitor my pulse rate while swimming), would 145 beats/minute acceptable and safe ? Swimming is my only form of excercise as my knees do not allow me to run or walk for a long period. Thank you
posted on Sat, 3 May 2014
Twitter Tue, 7 Apr 2015 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 8 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! I understand your concern, and I am glad to inform you that judging your formidable clinical conditions, your age, and your physical endurance, you allowed to perform a more intensive physical exercise. But first of doing that, I would recommend you to perform a comprehensive medical check up, including an exercise stress testing in order to appropriately delineate your physical limits and heart response. I would judge that your attending physician can give a very objective opinion about this issue, since he knows your heart performance (ejection fraction after heart attack), and your detailed coronary problems (is everything resolved by the prior angioplasty). So to conclude I would advice a very careful scheduled (escalated) physical activity under strict supervision of your doctor.
Hope to have been helpful to you Greetings! Dr. Iliri
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Is It Wise To Swim Harder After Having A Heart Attack?

Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! I understand your concern, and I am glad to inform you that judging your formidable clinical conditions, your age, and your physical endurance, you allowed to perform a more intensive physical exercise. But first of doing that, I would recommend you to perform a comprehensive medical check up, including an exercise stress testing in order to appropriately delineate your physical limits and heart response. I would judge that your attending physician can give a very objective opinion about this issue, since he knows your heart performance (ejection fraction after heart attack), and your detailed coronary problems (is everything resolved by the prior angioplasty). So to conclude I would advice a very careful scheduled (escalated) physical activity under strict supervision of your doctor. Hope to have been helpful to you Greetings! Dr. Iliri