What are you doing for exercise?

[sciman]

I was hoping there might be someone out there who could relate to my situation. I'm wondering if there is someone who has an ejection fraction around 46%. I'm wondering what you typically do for exercise. My last stress echo was good enough that my cardiologist lifted previous restrictions (30minutes - 40 minutes). He told me I could exercise for an hour and just avoid anything "crazy". I'm an exercise fanatic so I"m trying to find balance. I'm currently running 4 miles daily at a 8-9 minute pace. I also use a "Total Gym" and light dumbells (20lbs.). I do push-ups and situps and I love to go whitewater kayaking. The only time I notice any fatigue is when I take a day to lounge around! If I sit down for a length of time I get very sleepy.  I seem to do better when I stay active during the day. Why do I feel better when I'm on my feet instead of resting? It just doesn't make a lot of sense. The only thing I can figure is that when my pulse is slow the effects of the cardiomyopathy are more pronounced. My resting pulse rate is in the fifties.  

[pilgrim56]

I am in a similar boat with respect to ejection faction.  I had a MI 3.5 years ago. My EF was 40%. A year later, my EF was 45%. (Same Dr did the echos).

This is what I've been doing the last year or so.(I slowly built up my exercise levels over the intervening years).  I walk 5 mile at 4 mph on a 8% incline 4X a week, 3 miles at 4mph at 8% incline. I still go to rehab twice a week and do 3.5 mph at 11.5% incline for 20 minutes and a stairmaster for 15 minutes.

I also do light weights, crunchs, pushups, etc 3X week.

I figure I am expending rougly 4000to 4200 cal a week. (My Drs are very pleased.)

In last couple of weeks I have started to repalce my two of my  5mile walks with with jog/walks for 5 miles to save a little time.

Your exercise regime sounds very rigorous. I hope to be able to work my way to an exercise regime like yours.

As to why you feel tire,

1) Some medications like betablockers can induce fatigue based on dosage. You may want to talk to your Dr about this.
2) Are you getting enough sleep? I need at least 7 to 7.5 hrs a night. If I don;t get the sleep consistently, I need to nap on weekends.
3) Perhaps your exericse regime is too vigourous? Perhaps running everyday is a little much. You might try taking a day once a week or every 2 weeks to give your body a rest. Or maybe try a slower pace and shorter distance every so often? Or try walking at a fast pace?

I know sometimes people can get a little obsessive about exercising. I know I do.  When I miss a day, I feel real guilty.

Good luck!

[sciman]

Thanks for your input. Keep on enjoying wildlife (saw your profile), that's a great hobby that too many people overlook.

[ireneo]

Dang! I'm impressed. Running 4 miles a day is great. I've never been able to run even when I was young (my heart shifts into arrhythmias). And the weights may not be heavy but they'll certainly keep you toned up. What more are you wanting to do?

As for sitting around, I'm not sure what causes that. I don't have cardiomyopathy but I find if I sit very much, my BP drops, my heart rate drops and I feel like I've been drugged. Very unpleasant feeling. But convenient at bedtime. My pulse runs 60-65 normally and I'm not as well conditioned as you are. Perhaps someone else can explain this slow down.