Your physician will help you develop an exercise program tailored to your needs and abilities. He or she can assess your physical capacities, which are usually much higher than you’d expect, so that you can exercise without any problems. Decide together which types of exercise or sports, at which level, are best for you and that you enjoy. For high-risk patients, many cities offer cardiac exercise groups where training is medically directed and monitored.

Regular exercise strengthens the heart and boosts circulation. When you are regularly active, your heart’s performance will increase notably after only a few weeks. By pumping more blood through the body with each beat and beating less often, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard. Exercise can also increase vessel volume, helping them become more elastic. Studies show that moderate endurance sports reduce the risk of heart attack and lower blood pressure.

Endurance exercise such as Nordic walking or jogging can increase your fitness level, make you healthier and improve your sense of well-being. Everyday life presents plenty of opportunities to be active and exercise: take the stairs instead of the elevator, go for longer and more regular walks and enjoy some fresh air. Long-term, this will improve circulation in the legs. Working out on an exercise bike, using cardio equipment (treadmills, Stairmasters, cross training machines, etc.), biking, swimming, inline skating and cross-country skiing are all suitable activities. Generally speaking, it is better to exercise three times a week for at least 30 minutes than once a week for several hours.

Strong muscles protect the heart and the musculoskeletal system from harm. Lifting weights is an effective addition to endurance training. It is advisable to do many repetitions with low weights. Before starting, discuss whether weight training is right for you, and at what intensity, with your physician.

Sexuality is important for our physical and mental well-being. Cardiac patients are often afraid that sexual activity may be risky. In most cases, these fears are unfounded. Normally, your love life should not be affected by a heart device. Your heartbeat is generally no higher during sexual intercourse than with other forms of exercise. If you are an ICD patient and a shock is emitted when you are having intercourse, it will not endanger your partner.