A study suggests that people with strong legs are less likely to develop heart failure after a heart attack.
- Physical exercise plays an important role in recovery after a heart attack.
- One study concluded that patients with strong legs were 41% less likely to develop heart failure after a heart attack.
- Resistance exercises such as weight lifting can help strengthen leg muscles.
When a person has a heart attack, their heart muscles are damaged and the body has to work to heal and restore them to proper functioning. The recovery process is often long and complex, requiring gentle rehabilitation to allow the body to fully recover. According to a study presented at the Heart Failure 2023 congress of the European Society of Cardiologyleg strength plays an important role in the recovery process.
Measurement of leg strength from that of the quadriceps
The study found that patients with higher muscle strength had a 41% lower risk of developing heart failure after a heart attack. Indeed, the researchers measured the strength of the quadriceps in 932 patients who were hospitalized for a heart attack between 2007 and 2020. Participants with higher maximum quadriceps strength showed better recovery, and therefore less risk of developing a heart failure. Researchers therefore recommend quadriceps strength training to prevent heart failure in patients who have suffered a heart attack.
How to Build Leg Strength After a Heart Attack
After a heart attack, people with no history of heart failure and with higher muscle strength can recover from this disease more easily. Resistance exercise, such as weight training, can help strengthen leg muscles and improve overall muscle strength. Patients can also engage in activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling to improve their blood circulation and overall recovery.
