Physical Therapy And Cardiac Rehab Can Help Improve The Health Of Your Heart
If you have problems with your heart and you've been scheduled for heart surgery or another cardiac procedure, your doctor may recommend cardiac rehab afterward. You might even undergo rehab if you have a heart attack or if your condition puts you at risk of a heart attack. The purpose of rehab is to improve the strength and functioning of your heart so it becomes healthier. A physical therapist, as well as other medical professionals, will work closely together to ensure you exercise safely without stressing your heart. These are some of the things you can expect:
Physical Therapy In the Hospital
If you have heart surgery, a physical therapist will probably visit you in the hospital shortly after the procedure. Activity will be gentle at first and paced according to your condition. Your therapist takes into account your level of activity before your surgery and how your heart has weakened your endurance and stamina. Initially, exercises may consist of passive movements while you're in bed. As soon as you're able, the therapist will help you stand and then walk a few steps. You may even be fitted for a walker or cane for extra stability until your strength returns.
Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation
Once you're well enough to be discharged from the hospital, your physical therapy treatments will be done as an outpatient, and they will continue to increase in difficulty as your heart gets stronger. One thing you'll probably do is walk on a treadmill for gradually longer periods of time. You may be hooked up to a heart monitor and other medical testing machines so the response of your heart can be assessed while you exercise. Aerobic exercise strengthens your heart, but you don't want to overdo things. Your workout sessions will be closely controlled at first.
In addition to walking, you'll learn other safe exercises that strengthen the various muscles in your body. At some point, you may even start lifting weights for added muscle strength. A physical therapist will teach you the proper technique for all the exercises you do so you gain the most benefit from your efforts. You may need to visit the clinic for several weeks depending on how well you respond and the health of your heart.
Independent Exercise And Aerobic Activity
Your doctor will probably want you to be active at home as well. You gain the most benefit from exercise if you do it daily, so you'll want to do some type of activity on the days you don't go to therapy. A physical therapist will design an exercise program for you at first and teach you how to do all the exercises with safety in mind. You don't want to push yourself, and you should stop if you experience shortness of breath or chest pain. Walking will probably be a big part of your rehab, and it's a good idea to have a partner with you in case you get dizzy or need to stop and rest before you get home.
Once your heart is stronger, you'll be encouraged to take up activities and other forms of exercise you enjoy as long as your doctor approves. You may want to consider things such as swimming, weight training at a gym, or yoga. Making it a long-term goal to stay physically active will help your overall health and strengthen your heart, which is even more important when you have a heart condition that threatens your cardiac health.
Contact a company like DeSoto Memorial Hospital for more information and assistance.
