Morning exercise is the key to a good night's sleep after heart bypass surgery

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-07/esoc-mei070120.php


News Release 3-Jul-2020
European Society of Cardiology


Sophia Antipolis - 3 July 2020: Trouble sleeping after heart bypass surgery? Morning walks are the solution, according to research presented today on ACNAP Essentials 4 You, a scientific platform of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

"Many patients have trouble sleeping after heart bypass surgery," said study author Dr. Hady Atef of Cairo University, Egypt. "When this persists beyond six months it exacerbates the heart condition and puts patients at risk of having to repeat the surgery. It is therefore of utmost importance to find ways to improve sleep after bypass surgery."

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"Our recommendation for heart bypass patients with difficulty sleeping and performing their usual activities is to do aerobic exercise only," said Dr. Atef. "We think that resistance exercise requires a high level of exertion for these patients. This may induce the release of stress hormones which negatively affect sleep."

"Aerobic exercise means physical activity that does not require a very high level of exertion," he explained. "Choose an activity you enjoy like walking, cycling, or swimming. Aim for 30 to 45 minutes and do it in the morning because research shows this releases the hormone melatonin which helps us sleep well at night."