How far can you walk?

[Eileen2345]

Hi Everyone :D

I was wondering how much and how far you can walk at any given time.

Do you go walking everyday? And if so, for how long and how far?

Do you walk 1, 2, 3, or more times a week?

I am curious as to how much everyone can walk.

Thank you for any replies,
Eve

[gfox42]

I don't know what my limit would be -- I've walked as far as 5 or 6 miles at a time since my myectomy, without trouble. I currently walk nearly every day, either 1.5 miles once or twice in a day.

Gordon

[Zippythebighearted]

I'm probably not the best example to get information from as I'm just now learning to respect what the limitations should be. Plus I haven't seen an official HCM specialist yet, just my regular cardiologist.

With those disclaimers out of the way....

I usually do some type of cardio activity for 30-60 minutes keeping my heart rate between 120-140. I used to keep it at 140 and have been gradually bringing it down as I learn more. My target right now is 120. For cardio I use the elliptical, stationary bike, treadmill, sometimes jogging. I don't walk much as it just doesn't seem to do anything for me. That might change too. :(

[Annie S.]

I can't walk very far without having chest pain, maybe 3 or 4 blocks,especially after work. I also can't walk at a normal pace anymore. I can walk farther if I slow the pace to a near crawl when the pain starts. Of course, since I'm obstructed, I might not be a very good gage.

My cardiologist just upped my Diltiazem to 480mg a day, and I also take 200mg of Atenolol. He's hoping this will help alleviate my symptoms.

[ItzKat]

Just after the end of the year, I wasn't able to really walk to the end of the block. Leaving work and walking to my car was getting to be a bit tough.

Then I lost 10 pounds since then and have changed to eating small meals more often than the standar three a day. That seems to have helped.

[RPMelia]

Hi Eileen -

You have the same name as my wife!

Walking is my primary exercise. Now in my mid 60's, and on 100 mgs of Toprol, I'm not as fast as I used to be. I usually walk 3-4 miles each day - inside when the weather is bad, and in the neighborhood and on nature trails when it is nice. I walk a mile in about 16 to 17 minutes, but I must slow down going up hills as my HR rises rapidly on slopes. When I walk for exercise, I wear a Polar Monitor and usually average about 95-100 HR for the walk. I try not to go over 120 for long. Sometimes my exercise comes from building the walking into my shopping or trips into DC etc.

I enjoy tracking my walking with a membership at JustWalk.com - it is on the WWW at: http://www.justwalk.com/index.aspx By keeping a daily log and journal on-line, I'm motivated to keep up the pace.

Also, a key for me, emphasized by my cardiologist and HCM specialist is HYDRATION! I always carry my water bottle and plan my walks to include necessary facilities. As I walk alone much of the time, I have a MEDALERT bracelet and always carry ID and my cell phone.

For me walking is a spiritual and intellectual time -- opportunity for prayer, reflection, and NPR.

Thanks for posting this thread.

Dick Melia

[Bucky]

Good Question since I have fretted about this for months. I am still on the front end of getting meds figured out. I am non obstructed. All that said...

I can walk a mile, but experience SOB and Chest pains and even leg cramps if I get my pace up to much. My heart rate can't or won't go over about 95 in my stress tests, so I am sure with my slow strolls, I am not even approaching this.

I am hoping that with time, the right drug therapy and a dedicated walking program I can improve this aspect of my life.

Bucky

[cynthia]

I should walk a LOT more than I do! I can go at a pretty good pace when running around doing errands, when I'm NOT in AFIB. As far as distance..the farthest I have walked in a while at one time would be probably a half mile or maybe a bit further. It depends on the climate for me. If it is a hot, humid day, I can't go as far...the heat and humidity get to me, but on a cool, dry day I manage o.k.

[BlueDevil]

When I've measured, I have been able to walk almost an entire mile at a brisk pace but slow down a bit 3/4 of the way. I hate hate HATE walking (bores the **** out of me), so I tend to stop after a mile. I am sure I could go further, so I should try walking as far as I can sometime and see what the upper end of my limits are.

I didn't realize leg aches were related to the HCM. (If they really are?) I do know I walk best on flat surfaces. Hills can sometimes bring on symptoms. How I survived in San Francisco for eight years, I'll never know. (And that was BEFORE I had the bi-v pacing.)

[mbcube]

It all depends on the pace.
When I have to hurry - I'm lucky to get a block or two before the heart lets me know I've exceeded my limit. If its a leisure type, a mile without resting. I bike at the gym 7-10 miles a day, I find this less stressful. I'm on 200mg of Atenolol.

[tyreke28]

Okay how far can I walk? Let's see flat ground or treadmill (flat) I have been known to walk 2 hours non stop which is about 6 miles. I am in cardiac rehab right now due to my cardiologist wanting to be sure that I can really do what I claim. I had MAJOR A fib issues in December and major med changes. I go three days a week and while there I ride the bike for 60 to 90 minutes which is 13-20 miles and then on to the treadmill for 30-45 minutes (I have not measured this distance though.) I do know that at the pace that I walk which is 3 mph I general walk a mile in 20 minutes, so it is roughly, 1.50-2.25. I have lost 45 pounds since June and that has helped my distance a great deal that is when the weather is not affecting me. I get really bad headaches when it rains and extreme heat/cold are not my friends. On those days I am lucky to be able to walk a block without having to stop and rest.

I just hope that all of the exercise that I am doing will get me to my goal weight by years end.

;)

[Reenie]

Nikki, congrats on your weight loss. I know you're working hard and it's showing.

[Cynaburst]

I have been looking at this thread and thinking that I should post on it every day, but since I am walking hospital corridors all day and night, I haven't had the energy. Anyway, before my myectomy, I could walk as far as I wanted on the flat at a slowish pace. Maybe about 3.0 mph was my fastest. I got to where I could not walk on any incline whatsoever though without bad symptoms.

Now, I walk on grades with not many problems -- sometimes some minor chest/throat pressure, but no SOB. I can walk comfortably at about 3.6 on the treadmill for 30 minutes, and I usually push it up to 3.8 or even 4.0 mph for a few minutes here and there. I also regularly do an elliptical trainer or a recumbent bike for variability.

When I am in my regular life, I try to go to the gym and do 40 - 50 minutes of cardio about 5 days a week.

I can also run up stairs now, which is something I never thought I could do. I used to literally drag myself up the stairs. I do still get winded after more than one flight.

[scottonbike]

Hello

I can walk as far as I want to. When the weather is good and the sun is out I usually walk around a lake after work. The trail is 3.7 to 5.3 miles depending on the route. I will do this 2 or 3 times a week. This is a busy trail and I have a lot of people passing me but I do not care, in fact I will maybe pass 2 people in this 3 day time period. The 3.7 mile loop will take me about an hour and a half. I put on my IPOD and will sometimes sing along to the music.

I know that if I had the proper support I could probably walk across the USA. OH, wait, I would rather bike across it instead!

Scott

[shirleymahoney]

Well like most people here have said it depends on my day, today, i mowed my front yard and I should have stopped when I started coughing but like pushed on and I'm now paying for it with chest pain and still coughing and exhausted, normal days I find it very hard to make it about 4 blocks my legs start aching and my chest will start hurting after 4 blocks and I have had a myectomy going on a little over 4 years ago now, I wish I could walk all I want to I use to walk all the time and I enjoyed it

Shirley