Cardiac rehabilitation, often known as cardiac rehab, helps people recover from a heart attack, surgery, or heart failure diagnosis, among others. It offers personalised plans, including exercise, education, and support tailored to your needs, making it a crucial part of the recovery after a heart condition. This article will look into cardiac rehabilitation in detail.
What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?
As mentioned before, cardiac rehabilitation helps people recover from heart problems like heart attacks or surgery by offering a supervised program that suggests-
- Physical activities for faster recovery
- Education on how to adopt healthy living, including diet, medicine, and lifestyle changes for improved heart health
- Manage stress and anxiety
This rehabilitation is essential for heart recovery and should be treated as importantly as taking medication. It is beneficial for individuals of all ages and fitness levels. It can significantly improve strength, mobility, and quality of life, especially for older adults.
Who Needs Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation is beneficial for anyone recovering from heart issues, including heart attacks, surgery, or heart failure. However, it is suggested that older adults are less likely to start or complete a cardiac rehabilitation program, mainly due to concerns about physical activity and existing medical conditions. That’s why the best cardiologists in Pune or other cities may hesitate to recommend physical exercise for older patients due to these concerns. Despite this, cardiac rehabilitation is critical for improving mobility, strength, and overall health and should be considered essential for recovery.
Benefits of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Cardiac rehabilitation offers numerous health benefits, including:
- Strengthening the heart and body after a heart attack
- Relieving symptoms like chest pain
- Encouraging healthier habits (more physical activity, quitting smoking, heart-healthy diet)
- Reducing stress and improving mood
- Increasing energy and strength for daily tasks
- Improving adherence to prescribed medications
- Preventing future heart problems and reducing the risk of death from heart disease
Here are the three phases of cardiac rehabilitation are:
Phase 1: Inpatient – Begins while you’re still in the hospital.
Phase 2: Outpatient – Involves regular visits to a rehab centre, with you going home afterwards.
Phase 3: Maintenance – Focuses on continuing exercises at home.
Where to get Cardiac Rehabilitation
You can get cardiac rehab in a hospital or a rehabilitation centre. Cardiac rehabilitation can begin during your hospital stay or immediately after your discharge. Depending on your health condition and other factors, these programs typically last around two to eight months. Many insurance plans also cover cardiac rehab with a doctor’s referral, whether you are visiting a multispeciality hospital in Pune or a clinic in Jaipur.
