Activity

If approved by your care team, it’s important to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. But it doesn’t have to be all at once. Short bursts of exercise are great, too!

Even as a patient with heart disease, you can safely exercise in non-competitive, low or moderate intensity activities. Ask your doctor for exercises that are safe for you.

Here are some ways to be active:

Moving and Playing at Home: Taking the stairs, playing outside or at recess, and helping with chores are great ways to get small amounts of activity throughout the day.
Steps and Walking: Counting your steps with a wearable monitor (like an Apple watch or FitBit) is a great way to check your progress. Children should aim for 12,000 steps per day.
Recreational Sports: Participating in low-pressure sports where you can easily take breaks if needed is another great way to stay active. Walking, jogging, and biking are all safe too.
Competitive Sports: In some cases, playing and training with a competitive team and performing at a high level may also be possible if your doctor clears you.