Cardiac Rehabilitation: Your Guide to Heart Health Recovery

Understanding Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a supervised program designed to improve cardiovascular health after a heart attack, heart surgery, or heart condition diagnosis.

Key Components of Prevention

1. Exercise Training

• Aerobic Activities
  • Start with 5-10 minutes, 3 times daily
  • Gradually increase to 30-45 minutes of continuous activity
  • Monitor heart rate within prescribed ranges

2. Lifestyle Modifications

• Smoking Cessation
  • Complete tobacco cessation
  • Avoid secondhand smoke exposure
• Stress Management
  • Practice relaxation techniques
  • Consider meditation or yoga
  • Get adequate sleep (7-9 hours)

3. Nutrition Guidelines

• Heart-Healthy Diet
  • Reduce saturated fats
  • Limit sodium to <2,300mg daily
  • Increase fiber intake
  • Choose lean proteins

4. Medication Management

• Take medications as prescribed
• Monitor blood pressure regularly
• Track cholesterol levels
• Keep medical appointments

Warning Signs

Seek immediate medical attention if experiencing:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual fatigue
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

Progress Tracking

• Keep an exercise log
• Monitor vital signs
• Record symptoms
• Document medication adherence