Introduction
Cardiac rehabilitation is a supervised program designed to improve your cardiovascular health after a heart attack, heart surgery, or other cardiac event. This guide will help you understand what to expect and how to maximize your recovery.
Program Components
1. Medical Evaluation
- Initial assessment of physical abilities
- Review of medical history
- Development of personalized goals
- Risk factor identification
2. Exercise Training
- Supervised aerobic exercises
- Strength training
- Flexibility exercises
- Heart rate and blood pressure monitoring
3. Lifestyle Education
- Heart-healthy nutrition guidance
- Stress management techniques
- Smoking cessation support
- Medication management
What to Expect
Program Duration
- Typically 12 weeks
- 2-3 sessions per week
- 60-90 minutes per session
Safety Measures
- Continuous heart monitoring
- Regular vital sign checks
- Immediate access to medical staff
- Emergency protocols in place
Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Improved heart function
- Increased exercise capacity
- Better control of risk factors
- Enhanced quality of life
- Reduced risk of future cardiac events
Your Role
- Attend all scheduled sessions
- Follow exercise prescriptions
- Take medications as directed
- Report any symptoms or concerns
- Practice healthy lifestyle changes
When to Seek Help
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Unusual shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Severe fatigue
Follow-up Care
- Regular progress assessments
- Adjustment of exercise programs
- Long-term maintenance planning
- Ongoing support resources
Additional Resources
- Support group information
- Educational materials
- Home exercise guidelines
- Emergency contact numbers