Living With Coronary Heart Disease: What Are The Benefits Of Cardiac Rehabilitation?

You have had a heart attack. Now, what do you do next? Fortunately, many cardiac centers offer cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) programs that are beneficial for anyone living with coronary heart disease.

Cardiac rehab is a professionally supervised program designed to help you recuperate and learn to live a healthier life after you experienced a heart attack, had heart surgery, or live with heart disease. The program, which will be personalized for you, can help you recover your strength and reduce your risk of complications.

It is particularly important for women living with coronary heart disease to attend a cardiac rehab program. It is imperative for both your physical and emotional recovery following a heart disease diagnosis, going through a heart attack, or undergoing heart surgery. Studies have shown that women are only half as likely to go to a rehab program for a number of reasons, including a lack of referral and being unable to attend these programs due to family or work. When you live with heart disease, however, your health should take priority.

Who should attend a cardiac rehab program?

People who should attend a cardiac rehab program include:

• Those who have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
• Those who have recently experienced a cardiac event, including a heart attack.
• Patients living with heart failure.
• Patients who have had a cardiac procedure (such as angioplasty) or a surgery.
• Patients who have an abnormal heart rhythm, a condition known as arrhythmia.
• Patients who have an implanted device in their body, such as a pacemaker or a defibrillator.

Who is involved in the cardiac rehab program?

Your cardiac rehab team will be made up of professionals who each have their own area of expertise. They will work together to help improve your emotional and physical health. Your cardiac rehab team will likely be composed of:

• Physician
• Exercise physiologist
• Nurse
• Occupational therapist
• Physical educator
• Dietitian
• Psychiatrist
• Psychologist
• Physiotherapist
• Social worker

While the composition of your cardiac rehab will depend on where you live, what hospital you attend, and what your specific needs are, expect to see a large proportion of the professionals listed above.

What is involved in a cardiac rehab program?

While programs will vary, you will first undergo a medical assessment in which your physical abilities, limitations, and risk factors will be evaluated to compose a personalized program for you. The program will include exercises that are especially designed to improve your heart and muscle fitness, expert advice about your lifestyle, such as diet and nutrition, and psychosocial support to help manage depression and anxiety and help you work through returning to work. Cardiac rehabilitation programs can help answer a number of questions you may have about your condition, including:

• What is coronary heart disease?
• How do we treat coronary heart disease?
• What are my risk factors for another heart attack?
• What is the best way to manage my risk factors?
• Why do I feel stressed, depressed, or anxious and how do I fix it?
• Why do I need to take these medicines?
• What are the medical tests and procedures I have to undergo?
• What do I do in case of an emergency?
• How do I go back to doing everyday things such as going back to work or travelling?
• How can I have a healthy lifestyle?

What are the benefits of a cardiac rehabilitation program?

The benefits associated with attending a cardiac rehab program include:

• Helping you recover your strength.
• Helping you feel independent again.
• Helping you overcome anxiety or fear.
• Teaching you how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle for the rest of your life.
• Introducing you to other people who are dealing with exactly what you are dealing with, thus increasing your social support network.
• Recognizing the warning signs of a heart attack.
• Learning how to respond quickly in case of an emergency such as a heart attack.
• Helping you get back to your everyday activities and life.
• Helping you increase your social independence.
• Helping you become more confident.
• Helping you become physically active.
• Teaching you exercises that are conducive to a healthy heart.
• Helping you address any depression you may be suffering from.
• Helping you quit smoking and make sure you don’t start again.
• Providing you with a network of people who care about you and want to help you get better.

You can ask the team if you can bring your partner or a caregiver along to sessions, as these cardiac rehab sessions can help them better understand what you are going through, as well.

Conclusion

Joined a cardiac rehab program is strongly recommended, as you will learn a lot about your condition and will receive advice on managing your everyday life. Cardiac rehab programs can be carried out in a lot of different ways, including over the telephone, on the internet, face-to-face, in a group setting, in your home or in a hospital, community center, or clinic. Talk to your cardiologist to find out how you can reap the benefits of attending a cardiac rehab program.