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Cardiac Rehab: Examples of Phase I Exercises After a Heart Attack

As your strength gradually increases, your recovery team (nurses and physical therapists) will encourage you to progress from basic postural exercises in your bed to walking in the halls and down stairs. Examples of exercises following a heart attack are shown below.

Initial inpatient daily activity

Step 1
  • Rest in bed until stable.
  • Sit up in bed with assistance.
  • Stand at bedside with assistance.
  • Perform self-care activities while seated.

Step 2
  • Sit up in bed independently.
  • Walk in room and to bathroom.
  • Perform self-care activities in bathroom.

Step 3
  • Sit and stand independently.
  • Walk in hall with assistance: 5 to 10 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day.

Step 4
  • Walk in hall: 5 to 10 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day.
  • Walk down flight of stairs with assistance.

As you become stronger, walking in the halls should become an important part of your recovery. An example of a progressive program that may be used is shown below:

Increase in daily activity

Mode

 Walking in hospital hall

Frequency

 Early mobile (days 1 to 3)
  • 1 to 2 times a day (always warm up and cool down)
Later mobile (days 2 to 4)
  • 3 to 4 times a day

Intensity
  • Heart rate greater than 120 bpm (beats per minute), or 20 bpm above resting heart rate (RHR)
  • Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) greater than 13
  • Stop when you get tired.

Time
  • Intermittent bouts, 3 to 5 min.
  • Rest periods at your discretion, 1 to 2 min. shorter than exercise bout
  • To progress, initially increase to 10 to 15 min., then increase intensity.
  • Include stair climbing when your doctor says it’s okay.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Richard D. Zorowitz, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Last Revised October 5, 2010

Last Revised: October 5, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Richard D. Zorowitz, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

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