Cardiac rehabilitation, or cardiac rehab for short, is designed to help patients with
heart disease recover faster and return to full and productive lives. Aspects of cardiac rehab include:
- Exercise
- Education
- Counseling
- Learning how to live a healthier life.
- Recover faster
- Feel better
- Reduce stress
- Reduce the risks of future heart problems
- Develop a healthier lifestyle.
Almost everyone with
heart disease can benefit from some type of cardiac rehab. No one is too old or too young. Women benefit from it as much as men.
Cardiac rehab often begins in the hospital after a heart attack, heart surgery, or other heart treatment.
It continues in an outpatient setting after you leave the hospital. After you have learned the skills of heart-healthy living, you should continue to use them for life.
You need your doctor's approval to get started in cardiac rehab. Tell your doctor or nurse that you're interested in cardiac rehabilitation, and ask which rehab services or plans are best for you.
The cardiac rehab team may include:
- Doctors, such as your family doctor, a heart specialist, or a surgeon
- Nurses
- Exercise specialists
- Physical therapists and occupational therapists
- Dietitians
- Psychologists or other behavioral therapists.
(Click The Cardiac Rehab Team to learn more about your cardiac healthcare providers.)
Aspects of a Rehabilitation Program
There are two aspects to this type of rehabilitation:
- Exercise training
- Education, counseling, and training.
Exercise
Exercise training is the first part of a cardiac rehab program. It is designed to help you learn how to exercise safely, strengthen your muscles, and improve your stamina. Your exercise plan will be based on your individual ability, needs, and interests.
Education, Counseling, and Training
The second part of a cardiac rehab program involves education, counseling, and training. This is used to help you understand your heart condition and find ways to reduce your risk of future heart problems. The cardiac rehab team will help you learn how to cope with the stress of adjusting to a new lifestyle and to deal with your fears about the future.
The goals of rehabilitation are different for each patient. In helping set your personal goals for cardiac rehab, your healthcare team will look at your general health, your specific heart problem, your risks for future heart problems, your doctor's recommendations, and, of course, your own preferences.
To gain more control over your cardiac rehab, remember your goals and keep important information where you can find it.
Cardiac rehab is safe. Studies show that serious health problems caused by cardiac rehab exercise are rare. Also,
the cardiac rehab team is trained to handle emergencies. Your healthcare provider can help you choose a plan that is safe for you.
Your doctor or nurse may recommend a cardiac rehab plan or help you to arrange for exercise training, education, counseling, and other services. Many hospitals and outpatient healthcare centers offer cardiac rehab -- so do some local schools and community centers. You can also check the Yellow Pages for more information.
When you have
heart disease, breaking old habits and learning new ones can be stressful. Wondering about your future health can be stressful, too. But the support of family and friends, as well as healthcare providers, can make a big difference in how well you adjust to these changes. If you have
angina or have recently had
open heart surgery,
angioplasty, a heart transplant, or a
heart attack, talk to your doctor about cardiac rehab and how it can help you.
