Cardiac Rehab: Heal Your Heart And Blood Vessels

If you have had heart surgery or a heart attack, cardiac rehab, a medically supervised program, can get you back on your feet again. Heart failure kills, but so does the stress associated with heart problems. Cardiac rehab involves lifestyle changes, education, and engaging in stress-busting activities, and helps you understand your condition. A core component of rehab is physical therapy, which can also help maintain and restore cognitive function in older adults.

How Effective Is Cardiac Rehab?

People who have had heart surgery or a stent procedure can benefit from exercise to strengthen the heart and lungs. Cardiac therapy requires close monitoring of your overall condition by a doctor and/or trained physiotherapist to keep you safe. Done properly it can give you and your family the support and advice you need to return to everyday life.

Nurse checking blood pressure of an elderly woman as a part of cardiac rehab

Research suggests that cardiac rehab can reduce the risk of cardiac-related mortality and improve health-related quality of life. Much will depend, however, on the nature of the heart condition in individual clients.

Supervised rehab is an effective and vital part of post-surgery recovery. You should not consider it as optional but, rather, as important as taking your medication. Research has shown that cardiac rehab can reduce your risk of being readmitted to hospital. Physical therapy in a loving and caring environment can also have a positive impact on your wellbeing and quality of life.

What kind of exercises are effective?

Each person will be assessed carefully to establish an optimum rehab routine. Usually this involves a mixture of individualized exercise and education sessions. These are often organized in a community setting such as a leisure center or an adult day care center.

A physical therapist will advise you on the best kind of exercises to suit your condition and medical history. These are usually light aerobic exercises designed to strengthen heart and lung function. The approach taken is a gradual one, with the aim of slowly building up your strength, confidence, and mobility.

Benefits of this therapy

The benefits of cardiac rehab are many and varied, and include improved mobility, physical strength, independence, and mental health. The lifestyle choices that you make during rehab will set you up for brighter, healthier days ahead. Therapy undertaken in a day care center with a varied recreation program will help lift your spirits.

Fairview Adult Day Care Center in Brooklyn NY offers rehabilitation therapies, including education and physical therapy, in a convivial setting. Here you will find the compassionate care and support you need to recover after heart problems. Our cardiac rehab program involves a holistic approach that will set you on the path to sustained recovery.

Attending rehab in an adult day care center can help get you back on your feet after a heart operation. You will learn about the importance of healthy lifestyle choices such as avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, and eating a healthy diet. You will also get emotional and psychological support from staff and peers.

Contact us if you would like to know more about our services for adults with TBI and other neurological disorders as well as Russian-speaking elderly people. We offer medical care, fitness and gym activities as well as recreation and fun activities.

This article is for educational and informational purpose only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. For any questions about your own health condition, speak to a qualified physician or healthcare provider.