Association

of Chartered

Physiotherapists

in Cardiac

Rehabilitation

A guide for heart patientsGolf

Golf is very good for maintaining and improving health and fitness and is an enjoyable, social way to keep active outdoors.

What are the benefits?

• Increaseandmaintainyourstamina• Increaseandmaintainyourmusclestrengthandjointsuppleness• Improveyourco-ordinationandbalance• Improveyourconfidenceandwellbeing• Mayhelpyoutomaintainahealthybodyweightandshape.

When is it safe to start?

Thiswilldependonyourowncircumstancesandspecificcardiaccondition.Itisrecommendedyouhaveanassessmentwithacardiacexerciseprofessionalwhowillprovideadviceandguidance.

For example:

IfyouhavehadOpen-Heartsurgery

• Youshouldwaitatleasttwelveweekstoensuregoodhealing ofthebreastbone.

Ifyouhaveapacemakerorimplantablecardioverterdevice(ICD)

• Dependentonyourdeviceyoumayneedtowaitsixweekstoallowtheleadstosettle.

How fit do I need to be?

Ifyoucanwalkupaninclineoraflightofstairscomfortablyyourfitnessshouldallowyoutostartplayinggolf.However,youwillneedtotakeintoaccountthefollowingconsiderations:thecourseterrain,howlongitwilltakeyoutocompleteyourgame,andpossiblyusingabuggyintheshortorlongterm.

How can I get in shape?

• Attendcardiacrehabilitationexercisesessions• Walkregularlyandbuildupdistanceandinclinesgraduallyondifferingterrains• Aswithanyactivity,‘startlowandgoslow’• Practicewalkingyourcourse• Startwiththedrivingrangeoraputtinggreen• Playlessholestobeginwithorstartonaflattercourse• Startwithahalfswingandbuildupthelengthandspeed ofyourswing.

Should I include a warm up and cool down?

• Youshouldincludegentlewalkingandgentleshoulder movementasitisimportanttoprepareyourheartand bodyforactivity• Practiceyourswinginitiallywithoutagolfclub• Startandfinishataslowerpace.

Thisguidanceisbasedontheavailableevidenceandexpertadvice

ProducedbytheAssociationofCharteredPhysiotherapistsinCardiacRehabilitation

www.acpicr.com

Thisleafletisnotintendedtoreplacetheadvicethatyourdoctororcardiacrehabilitation

teamgiveyoubasedontheirexpertknowledgeofyourcondition

Dueforreview2020

How should I feel?

• Youshouldfeelcomfortableandbeabletocontinuewiththeactivity

• Itisokaytobeslightlyoutofbreathaslongasyoucanstilltalkinfullsentences.Ifnot,slowdown

• Ifyouareexhaustedthefollowingdayyouhaveprobablyoverdoneitandneedtoreducethelengthofgame

nexttimebyplayingfewerholes.

What other things should I consider?

• Donotallowyourselftobepressuredbyothergolfersintorushingyourgameorwalkingfasterthanyoufeel

comfortabletodo.Paceyourselfandrestasrequired

• Ifyouarestrugglingtokeepupwiththepaceofplayyoushouldreducetheintensityofthegame.Trytoensure

yourpartner/opponentplaysatyourskilllevel

• Onlyplaywhenyouarefeelingwell

• IfyouhaveapacemakerorICDyoumayneedtoalteryourtechniquetoavoidoverstretchingyourarmduringthe

followthroughphaseofyourswingtoprotecttheleads

• Dressappropriatelyfortheweather:remembertheheartworksharderoncoldandwindydaysaswellaswhen

itishotandhumid

• Donotholdyourbreathwhilstliftingequipmentorwhilstconcentratingonyourswing

• Takecarewhenliftingyourgolfequipment,initiallyyoumayneedtocarrylessclubsoruseanelectrictrolley

orbuggy

• Youmayneedtoslowdownifyouarewalkingupanincline

• Ifyouhavetostandstillforlongkeepyourfeetmovinggentlyorwriggleyour

toestohelpthecirculation

• Ifyoufeellightheadedordizzyafterbending,considerusingagolfballretriever.

Stop playing if you experience any chest discomfort, palpitations, dizziness or light-headedness. If the

symptoms do not go away promptly with rest and/or your GTN spray/tablets, seek medical advice as soon as possible