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Question:
Will exercise make my heart stronger?
I had a pacemaker implant in June 2008 because the nodes stopped working. I had been feeling fine until recently. When I go to sleep my heart feels like it slows down so much it makes my left leg and foot numb. I've had my pacer checked and it's working. Will exercise make my heart stronger?
submitted by Thomas from Bridge City, Texas, on 10/26/09
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Patrick J. Cook, MD
In this scenario, the short answer is "no". Exercise won't strengthen your heart, but it can improve other aspects of your cardiovascular health, like exercise tolerance and lipid levels.
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Updated October 2009
