Rehabilitation Exercises
Cardiac rehabilitation exercises are an essential part of any cardiac rehab program. If you have a heart condition or have had a heart attack or heart surgery, your physician may recommend a cardiac rehabilitation program with a customized exercise plan. There are many cardiac rehab team members who can be involved with your cardiac rehab program, including a cardiologist, nurse, physiotherapist, pharmacist and psychologist.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Phases
The four main points around exercise when recovering from heart disease can be summarized with the FITT principle: frequency, intensity, time and type. While your cardiac rehab plan depends on the type of heart condition you had/have and your existing health and lifestyle, there are four phases of cardiac rehabilitation. The first phase of cardiac rehab may even begin while you’re in the hospital. Your healthcare team will assess your mobility, ensure proper discharge planning and recommend safe exercises.
Many patients start by walking or riding a stationary bike, and as they gain cardiovascular and muscular strength, progress to more aerobic forms of exercise. It’s important to do cardiovascular exercises that increase your heart rate. Stretching and flexibility exercises are also a key part of your cardiac rehab program. The second phase of cardiac rehab provides support and education, promotes adherence to your exercise and lifestyle plan and offers emotional support. The third phase of cardiac rehab focuses on ongoing exercise training and counselling. The fourth phase of cardiac rehab involves independent exercise and conditioning.
The Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercises
While a cardiac exercise program is designed to help you recover from a heart attack, heart surgery or heart condition, there are other benefits such as:
• Lower blood pressure
• Improved cholesterol levels
• Decreased depression and anxiety
• Reduced risk of a future heart attack or heart condition
• Faster return to work or regular activities
The good news is that your cardiac rehab exercise plan will be designed for you with the help of your cardiac rehab team, so you’ll have lots of support! You’ll be taught how to do exercises safely and effectively at every stage of your cardiac rehabilitation program.
Talk to your cardiologist if you'd like more information on rehabilitation exercises.
Visit HealthChoicesFirst.com for more videos and resources on heart health.
Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider
-
The four main points around exercise when recovering from heart disease can be summarized with the FITT principle: frequency, intensity, time and type.
-
The first phase of cardiac rehab may even begin while you’re in the hospital.
-
The second phase of cardiac rehab provides support and education, promotes adherence to your exercise and lifestyle plan and offers emotional support.
-
The third phase of cardiac rehab focuses on ongoing exercise training and counselling.
-
The fourth phase of cardiac rehab involves independent exercise and conditioning.
Cardiac Conditions
Cardiac Testing
Cardiac Treatments
Rehabilitation Exercises
Knowledge is Power.
True/False - Quiz: Do You Understand Rehabilitation Exercises?
Action Plan - Rehabilitation Exercises
Cardiac rehabilitation exercises are an essential part of any cardiac rehab program. If you have a heart condition or have had a heart attack or heart surgery, your physician may recommend a cardiac rehabilitation program with a customized exercise plan. There are many cardiac rehab team members who can be involved with your cardiac rehab program, including a cardiologist, nurse, physiotherapist, pharmacist and psychologist.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Phases
The four main points around exercise when recovering from heart disease can be summarized with the FITT principle: frequency, intensity, time and type. While your cardiac rehab plan depends on the type of heart condition you had/have and your existing health and lifestyle, there are four phases of cardiac rehabilitation. The first phase of cardiac rehab may even begin while you’re in the hospital. Your healthcare team will assess your mobility, ensure proper discharge planning and recommend safe exercises.
Many patients start by walking or riding a stationary bike, and as they gain cardiovascular and muscular strength, progress to more aerobic forms of exercise. It’s important to do cardiovascular exercises that increase your heart rate. Stretching and flexibility exercises are also a key part of your cardiac rehab program. The second phase of cardiac rehab provides support and education, promotes adherence to your exercise and lifestyle plan and offers emotional support. The third phase of cardiac rehab focuses on ongoing exercise training and counselling. The fourth phase of cardiac rehab involves independent exercise and conditioning.
The Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercises
While a cardiac exercise program is designed to help you recover from a heart attack, heart surgery or heart condition, there are other benefits such as:
• Lower blood pressure
• Improved cholesterol levels
• Decreased depression and anxiety
• Reduced risk of a future heart attack or heart condition
• Faster return to work or regular activities
The good news is that your cardiac rehab exercise plan will be designed for you with the help of your cardiac rehab team, so you’ll have lots of support! You’ll be taught how to do exercises safely and effectively at every stage of your cardiac rehabilitation program.
Talk to your cardiologist if you'd like more information on rehabilitation exercises.
Visit HealthChoicesFirst.com for more videos and resources on heart health.
Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider
-
The four main points around exercise when recovering from heart disease can be summarized with the FITT principle: frequency, intensity, time and type.
-
The first phase of cardiac rehab may even begin while you’re in the hospital.
-
The second phase of cardiac rehab provides support and education, promotes adherence to your exercise and lifestyle plan and offers emotional support.
-
The third phase of cardiac rehab focuses on ongoing exercise training and counselling.
-
The fourth phase of cardiac rehab involves independent exercise and conditioning.