Originally posted by easttexan
I am a reformed smoker and had my last cigarette when I had a heart attack and bypass surgery on July 11, 2002. My conditioning seems to be progressing properly, but I wonder about my wind. I don't necessarily run out of air, but sometimes you can hear me blowing for a mile.
Steady aerobic exercise is the ticket, and if you were a heavy smoker for many years then eight or nine months is a little early to expect great improvement.
I had my first heart attack (and last cigarette) on April 11, 1998 and bypass surgery this past April. I've got pretty good wind, now, especially since I started exercising vigorously after the bypass healed. I'm up to a bit over an hour a night on an elliptical glider, at middle resistance and fast pace (I exercise to CCR "Chronicle," usually).
The key to getting your wind back seems to be to concentrate on aerobic exercise for a period of at least 45 minutes (you'll have to work up to it, of course). Before, when I was working out vigorously but only for 30 minutes I'd still tend to get winded. Now, after a few months at 60 minutes a day I'm not even much winded after hammering out "Sweet Hitchhiker" at about 14MPH on the glider after 60 minutes at around 10MPH.
So, check with your doc and work your exercise time up gradually. If you are feeling sharp pains (as opposed to just a burn in your muscles) get it checked out -- you don't want to strain something or you'll be off exercise for weeks getting that straightened out!
John