April 1, 2019—Exercise after a heart attack helps strengthen a weakened heart. But are some workouts better than others?
A recent study found that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) was especially beneficial for some people recovering from a heart attack. If you've ever done wind sprints, you've done HIIT. It involves quick bursts of intense exercise that alternates with longer periods of less-demanding activity.
Targeting belly fat
The study involved 120 patients in a cardiac rehabilitation program. Doctors often advise this supervised exercise training to help people who've had one heart attack avoid another.
All of the patients worked out three times a week for three months. They started with exercise at a steady pace. But after the first week, they split into two groups.
Ninety participants did HIIT workouts. All of these participants were screened to make sure they could withstand 20 minutes of high-intensity exercise. At each session, they completed four to eight cycles of an "on" exercise (like running) for one minute followed by an "off" exercise (like casual walking) for a few minutes. The others did 30 minutes of continuous moderate exercise, such as brisk walking and cycling.
Compared to patients in the moderate-intensity group, those in the HIIT group:
- Gained more lean muscle.
- Lost about 4 more pounds of body fat.
- Trimmed more inches off their waists.
These benefits are especially important for people with heart disease—and those at risk for it. Fat, especially around the middle, raises the risk of heart problems, including a first or repeat heart attack.
But as promising as this study is, get an OK from your doctor before significantly changing how you exercise, especially if you have heart disease.
The researchers presented their study at the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session. It's one of the first studies to look at the impact of HIIT on body fat in people with heart disease.
Have you had a heart attack or major heart event? Learn more about how cardiac rehabilitation can protect your heart.