Cardiac rehab, as it is commonly known, is a plan of exercise and education for people who have heart problems. It helps you slowly and safely get back to normal activities. A cardiac rehab program usually lasts from 4 to 12 weeks.
Most rehab programs are designed to help people who:
Some programs help healthy people who are out of shape and at risk for heart disease.
Phase 1
Phase 1 usually begins in the hospital. Exercise is started to help you recover from a heart attack or heart surgery. This usually means short walks and exercises to stretch muscles. Nurses will watch you and check your blood pressure and pulse rate before and after the exercises. You are taught about your heart disease and what you can do to stay healthy. You may need to take an exercise treadmill test before you go home from the hospital. The results of the exercise test are used to plan what your activity will be for Phase 2.
Phase 2
Phase 2 starts after you are home. It lasts about 8 weeks and averages 3 sessions a week. The amount of exercise is slowly increased. During this phase, it is common for you to start to feel more confident about going back to work.
Learning about your disease is almost as important as exercise. During the stay in the hospital, most people are anxious and stressed. Both patients and their families have a hard time remembering what they have been told about the disease. During Phase 2 you will learn:
This phase may have classes to help you learn about a healthy diet or how to stop smoking. Support groups may help you and your family deal with your illness and the lifestyle changes you need to make.
Phase 3
Phase 3 lasts the rest of your life. Phase 1 and Phase 2 give you information on being healthier, including exercising and eating right. It is up to you to keep the healthy habits you learned in phases 1 and 2.
Cardiac rehabilitation can:
The program's support can help you and your family during this difficult time.
Perhaps one of the most valuable benefits of cardiac rehab is the improved quality of life. People who have been through the program report feeling healthier and happier than they did before heart disease disabled them.
Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File CRD3610F.HTM Release 9.0/2006
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