If you have recently had a stroke, then you may be searching for exercises to help your heart recover. However, before proceeding with any type of exercise program, it is necessary to talk to your cardiologist to ensure that working out is safe for you and your particular health condition. He or she can provide recommendations and guidelines that can help improve the likelihood that your exercise plan will help you versus harm you.

Once you’ve been given the green light to pursue some type of exercise regimen, here are some cardiovascular options to consider courtesy of the Stroke Association (you may even want to print these out and take them with you so your doctor has an idea of which exercises you wish to try):

• Walking
• Swimming
• Yoga
• Cycling
• Dancing

Your goal should be to engage in some form of moderate intensity activity for 30 minutes at least five days a week. However, you may need to break these sessions down into 10 minute intervals (or less, if need be) until you get used to exercising and being active.

Plus, you should always start with a light intensity warm up and end with a light intensity cool down so that your heart has a chance to acclimate to your exercise session as well as to recover. This also helps prevent any injuries to your muscles by only engaging in physical exercise when they are warm and limber.

Even if you’re not quite ready to start a regimented exercise program, you will still likely benefit from adding small bouts of activity to your day, through tasks such as gardening and housework. Of course, you’ll still want to check with your doctor to make sure these things are okay before doing them.

If you’ve had a stroke, what are some activities that you enjoy doing that your doctor has said are good for your heart’s recovery?