Yoga and Exercise for Heart Attack

Do not do yoga or exercise during a suspected heart attack. Call 112 or 102.

After a heart attack, physical activity is an important part of recovery, but it must start under medical supervision.

Before you begin

• Get your cardiologist's clearance, usually after tests such as an echocardiogram or stress test.
• Start with a supervised cardiac rehabilitation programme if available.
• Know your warning signs: chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness, dizziness, palpitations or extreme fatigue. Stop and seek help if they occur. Call 112 or 102 for chest pain that does not settle.

Activity after a heart attack

• Walking: begin with a few minutes on flat ground and increase slowly as your doctor advises.
• Light stretching and gentle chair-based exercise
• Breathing practice: slow, relaxed breathing for calm. Avoid forceful breathing such as kapalabhati and bhastrika unless your doctor allows it.
• Relaxation and meditation: may help stress and mood.

What to avoid

• Heavy lifting, straining and holding your breath
• Intense or competitive exercise, hot yoga and exercise in very hot or cold weather
• Deep inversions and headstands
• Exercise on an empty or very full stomach, or when unwell

Evidence

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is proven to lower risk. Evidence for specific yoga practices is smaller but suggests benefit for stress and fitness as a supplement.

Key point

Build up slowly, follow medical advice and never push through chest pain.

Before your appointment

Bring all your reports, ECGs and medicine strips, and a list of every medicine and supplement you take, including herbal products. Note when symptoms occurred, what brought them on and how long they lasted. Share your family history of heart disease, and your smoking, alcohol, diabetes and blood pressure history. Ask about cardiac rehabilitation and the warning signs that mean you should call 112 or 102.