Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) may be caused by multiple factors including:

-          High blood cholesterol

-          Smoking

-          High blood pressure

-          Diabetes or a family history of diabetes

-          Physical inactivity

-          Family history of heart disease

CAD can often be prevented and rehabilitated through healthy lifestyle habits including stress management, exercise and healthy eating.

The following guidelines may be used to reduce risk of injury when exercising, but are in no way meant to replace your own physician’s (or other health professional) advice.

1. A written or verbal physician release is required for participation if one or more risk factors are identified on your health screening. Ask your physician for an exercise prescription based on your current cardiovascular status.
2. The medications used for controlling CAD may affect your heart rate. Please ask your physician what effect the medication you are taking has on your exercise performance or response. This information will be recorded in your workout journal. Please notify us of any changes in your medication.
3. If your heart rate is slowed by medication, Perceived Exertion is the preferred method for monitoring your body’s response to exercise intensity.
4. If nitroglycerine has been prescribed, please carry it with you at all times. If you experience angina, stop exercising immediately and take your nitroglycerine as prescribed by your physician.
5. Immediately discontinue any exercise if you are feeling dizzy, have abnormal heart rhythms, unusual shortness of breath or chest pain.
6. Be sure to include an extended, low intensity warm-up (at least 10 minutes) to prepare your body for the more vigorous movement to come.
7. Maintain a low intensity level during cardiovascular exercise. On the revised Perceived Exertion scale, that would correlate with 2 – 3, light to moderate. Gradually increase intensity over time in accordance with your own comfort level.
8. Static exercises, such as isometrics, often lead to breath-holding and may place excessive stress on the heart.
9. Participation in a weight training program requires a physician’s release. Begin with low intensity, low repetition. Gradually increase the number of low to moderate intensity. Begin with a weight load that can be comfortably managed for 10 – 15 repetitions, doing 2 – 3 sets. Increase weight loads by 5 pound increments when repetitions can be accomplished easily. Exercise the large muscle groups first.  Do not rest for extended periods between sets.
10. Avoid sustained gripping of a weight due to the possible increase of blood pressure.
11. Breathing should be steady throughout all exercises. During strengthening exercises, exhale on the exertion, or most difficult part of the movement. During cardiovascular exercises, breathe rhythmically and comfortably through both your nose and mouth.
12. Include an extended cool-down (at least 10 minutes). Raise the body to a standing position very slowly to avoid fainting or dizziness resulting from hypotension.
13. Please notify a staff member and your physician if you experience any pain or abnormal symptoms before, during and after your workout.