If you are recovering from a heart attack, there are a number of strategies and treatments 
that can help restore your health. Traditionally, recovering from a heart attack has primarily involved rest and tailoring the diet. While these actions are critical, an additional option has shown a high rate of effectiveness among patients recovering from heart attacks.
Cardiac rehabilitation (or cardiac rehab) is a medically supervised program that helps improve the health and well-being of people who have heart problems. Rehab programs include exercise training, education on heart-healthy living, and counseling to reduce stress.
Who needs a cardiac rehab program?
Cardiac rehab programs are designed for people who have had the following conditions:
- A heart attack
- Angioplasty
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- A heart transplant or a lung transplant
- Stable angina
- Heart failure
When entering a cardiac rehab program, doctors will first assess your health. This assessment will include a review your medical history and a physical exam. Activities vary depending on your condition. If you’re recovering from major heart surgery, rehab will start with a member of the rehab team helping you sit up in a chair or take a few steps. You’ll work on range-of-motion exercises. These include moving your fingers, hands, arms, legs, and feet. Over time, you’ll increase your level of activity.
Once you leave the hospital, rehab will continue in an outpatient rehab center. The rehab center may be part of the hospital or housed in another location. For the first two to three months, you’ll need to go to rehab regularly to learn how to reduce risk factors and to begin an exercise program.
How does it help?
Cardiac rehab has proven successful in aiding the recovery of heart attack patients. A recent study shows patients who had participated in the clinic’s cardiac rehab program were nearly 50 percent more likely to live than patients who had not participated. The outcomes were similar regardless of whether the patient was male or female.
These are just some of the benefits patients can expect from cardiac rehab:
- Preventing future hospital stays, heart problems and death related to heart problems.
- Addressing risk factors that lead to coronary heart disease (also called coronary artery disease) and other heart problems. These risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, smoking, lack of physical activity, depression and other mental health concerns.
- Adopting healthy lifestyle changes. These changes may include a heart-healthy diet, increased physical activity, and learning how to manage stress.
If you or a loved one is recovering from a heart condition or heart surgery or would simply like more information on cardiac rehabilitation, contact us at Medical City Dallas Hospital. Visit us online or call 972-566-7836 to sign up for our cardiac rehab program.
Sources:
What to Expect When Starting Cardiac Rehabilitation (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute)
What Is Cardiac Rehabilitation? (American Heart Association)
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