When can I walk after a heart attack?

A heart attack or myocardial infarction is one of a leading killer of both men and women in the Sri Lanka. The good news is that excellent treatments are available for heart attacks which can save lives and prevent disabilities.

Myocardial infarction happens when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked and the heart can’t get oxygen. Usually this block is due to a blood clot or fatty plaque (atheresclerosis) in the blood vessel wall.

If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, the section of heart muscle begins to die. Rest following a heart attack is very much essential.

Even with the immediately given ideal treatment ,still your heart needs some rest before you start work as usual.

Most people survive their first heart attack and return to their normal lives to enjoy many more years of productive activity. But having a heart attack mean you need to make some changes in your life.

Early ambulation or start moving is now the policy for uncomplicated infarcts.

Here uncomplicated means no other damage has occured to the heart except the initial damage to the heart muscle.

Your doctor will advise you of drugs and lifestyle changes according to how badly your heart was damaged and what degree of heart disease you have.

It’s up to you to follow your doctor’s recommendations to make a full recovery.

After 24 hrs – Walk around bed.

48 hrs -Wash face, shave, sit out in a chair.

72 hrs – Walk around ward for 3 – 5 minutes.

96 hrs – Walk around ward for 10-15minutes & attend to all normal activities.

120 hrs -Fit for discharge after ‘modified’ stress test.

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Dr Rikaz Sheriff

MBBS PGCert MSc
Director, Western Hospital

Rikaz Sheriff is responsible for all aspects of innovation and strategy of health informatics solutions of LankaDoctor. Rikaz joined UniverSL Software after working for 5 years as a Senior Medical Officer at Western Hospital where he leads the business development unit with responsibility for marketing strategy, brand management, advertising, and consumer promotions.

He also serves as the chief coordinator for their kidney transplant programme. Rikaz is a life member of the Sri Lanka Medical Association and the Health Informatics Society of Sri Lanka. Rikaz holds a MBBS degree from Baqai University (Pakistan) and a Master's degree in Biomedical Informatics from the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo. He also works as the Provincial Health Informatician for the Department of Health Services, Western Province.

Dr. Yapa Wijeratne
MBBS University of Perdeniya.
Medical Officer, Mawanella Hospital.

Yapa entered Faculty of Medicine in 2008, following a successful career at the Dharmaraja College, Kandy. While continuing his undergraduate career, he joined UniverSL Software. He completed his MBBS degree from University of Peradeniya & worked as a Temporary lecturer at Department of Basic sciences, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya. After completing his internship, he is still working at Teaching Hospital Peradeniya.