Cardiac Rehabilitation - An overview Cardiac Rehabilitation - An overview
Definition
Cardiac rehabilitation - also called cardiac rehab - is a customized program of exercise and education designed to help you recover after a heart attack, other forms of heart disease or after surgery to treat diseases heart. Cardiac rehabilitation is often divided into phases that involve supervised practice, nutritional counseling, emotional support, support and education about lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of heart problems. The goals of cardiac rehabilitation are to help you regain strength, to avoid a worsening of your health and reduce your risk of future heart problems. Cardiac rehabilitation programs increase your chances of survival.
Why it is
Cardiac rehabilitation is an option for people of all ages and many forms of heart disease. In particular, you can benefit from cardiac rehabilitation if your medical history includes -
- Heart attack
- CHD
- Heart Failure
- Peripheral arterial disease
- chest pain (angina pectoris)
- Cardiomyopathy
- Some congenital heart disease
- Bypass surgery
- Angioplasty and stents
- Heart Transplant
- Heart valve replacement
Do not let the older ones keep you from joining a cardiac rehabilitation program. Even if you are aged over 65, you are eligible for cardiac rehabilitation.
Risks
Cardiac rehabilitation is not appropriate for all those who had heart disease. Your health care team will assess your condition to make sure you're ready to begin a cardiac rehabilitation program.
Rarely, some people suffer injuries such as strained muscles, sprains or fractures, while working in the context of cardiac rehabilitation. Your health care team will monitor you closely during your exercise to reduce this risk and you learn to avoid injury when you exercise on your own.
Getting Ready
If you had a heart attack or heart surgery or if you have another heart problem, ask your doctor to participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program. Health insurance often covers the cost of cardiac rehabilitation.
What you can expect
During cardiac rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation often begins while you're still in the hospital and continues with outpatient follow-up programs, until the maintenance program at home can be followed safely.
The early stages of most cardiac rehabilitation programs lasting three to six months. Meanwhile, you can work with cardiologists, nurse educators, dietitians, exercise rehabilitation specialists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists and psychiatrists.
Cardiac rehabilitation has four main parts -
- Medical assessment - initial and continuous evaluation allows your health care team check your physical abilities, limitations and other medical conditions you may have and keep track your progress over time. Your health care team focuses on risk factors for heart disease, stroke or hypertension. This allows your team to develop a cardiac rehabilitation program at your personal situation, making sure it is safe and effective.
- Physical activity - Cardiac rehabilitation improves your cardiovascular fitness through walking, rowing, jogging or even cycling and other endurance activities. You may also do strength training (bodybuilding, for example) to increase your muscular fitness. Do not worry if you have never exercised before. Your C.
Posted on February 9, 2010.