Major surgery is like running a marathon – and both require training.
We want to help you train your body for cardiac surgery.
Improving your current levels of fitness before an operation will help minimise the health risks after surgery and help you recover more quickly.
Get active and enjoy the benefits
Please discuss with your GP or surgeon exactly what is safe for you to do.
Have more energy
Feel more relaxed
Have better concentration and memory
Feel more confident
Aerobic exercise
- Moderate or brisk walking
- Jogging
- Swimming
- Cycling
Warm up exercise
- Marching on the spot for three minutes
- Alternate heel digs for one minute
- Alternate knee lifts for 30 seconds
- Slow walk, jog, cycle or swim increasing speed for up to five to ten minutes
Stretching exercise
- Hamstring stretches held for ten to 15 seconds
- Calf stretches for ten to 15 seconds
- Inner thigh stretches held for ten to 15 seconds
Major surgery is like running a marathon – and both require training.
We want to help you train your body for cardiac surgery.
Improving your current levels of fitness before operation will help minimise the health risks after surgery and help you recover more quickly.
Remember you can spread the total activity across your day.
If you feel unwell or experience severe breathlessness or dizziness please stop, refrain from any further activity and consult your GP.