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Question:
With coronary stents and a history of arrhythmias, is weight lifting safe? I am a 66 year-old male with 2 stents put in 1 year ago. I am on plavix and 1/2 aspirin 180 mg, lotrel 5/10 bid, and metoprolol suc tab 50 mg. About 6 hours after heavy resistance exercise, I have erratic heart beats.This started in August. I had not changed my exercise program during the last 6 months. I wore a Holter monitor for 24 hours. My cardiologist was not worried. He had no suggestions. Problems have stopped since I stopped weights. I still do 55 minutes on an elliptical trainer 6 days a week with no problem. I do have night sweats at neck and shoulders. Should I start back on weights?
submitted by Burke, from New Braunfels, Texas, 1/22/09
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Reynolds Delgado, MD 
Thank you for your question. Aerobic exercise such as walking, stationary bike and swimming is much better and safer in these conditions. Aerobic exercise actually lowers the blood pressure and lowers the work of the heart. I would suggest this instead of weight lifting.
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Updated January 2009
