Cardiac Rehab???

shop deals on amazon
Advertise with us
Shop deals on ebay
Valve Replacement Forums

Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Freddie

Freddie

VR.org Supporter
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2007
Messages
5,943
Location
Canada
Morning Everyone,

A question to all in regards of rehab.

When does one participate in cardio rehab?? And what's involved :confused:

Its been 4 months since surgery and I'm to go for an echo next month. Will I be told after the results of the echo when to go to rehab? :(

Also, what have you used to relieve the itching? Its just starting to drive me crazy?

Freddie
 
It's a bit late, but you can still benefit from it. They usually start you off right away, but it's not uncommon to have none at all. You can inquire about it with your Cardio and see what his assessement is.

As for the itching, put some Lotrimin, Euceryn, Gold Bond or some type of healing skin lotion on the itchy spots. It'll keep it moisturized so that even stretching, it won't itch like mad.
 
I didn't go to Cardio Rehab as my docs didn't think it was necessary.....however, I WISH I DID! :(

As for the itching, I use a very mild moisturizing lotion. Unfortunately, I have sensitive skin and I would get a rash from other products. I'm a year and a half out, and my incision is still itchy. :( :(
 
Freddie said:

does it have to do with ones age or weight? I'm 46 (just Turned) and about 5'6" - 123lbs
Click to expand...
Nope, age nor weight make any difference. Whether insurance will pay or not does though.
 
The rehab is a very very good thing to do. It is not necessary, but you will benefit from it in many different kinds of ways. You will learn alot from the physical therapists, you will meet others who have just come out of surgeries, and you will develop a healthy routine and be watched carefully while doing it.

My hospital gave me a notebook when they discharged me, with phone numbers to call to set up rehab. Did you get any such thing and then perhaps, in our drug induced fog, forget that they had directed you there? If not, check with your cardio and then check with your insurance and get going. I was slow to start up (2 months) just due to family being around and all, and it was still a great benefit to me.

Please make some calls and get signed up.

Basically, 3 times a week, they will just hook you up to heart monitors, put you on a treadmill and exercise bike, give you some light weights to use and keep a close eye on how your heart responds to all the exercise. It's very comforting to know that all is well.

Keep us posted.

:) Marguerite
 
"Did you get any such thing and then perhaps, in our drug induced fog, forget that they had directed you there?"
Marguerite,
I was told nothing about rehab. But I sure can relate to your statement of "drug induced fog". Thank goodness Hubby was there,

What did you use for the itching?
 
Freddie said:
"Did you get any such thing and then perhaps, in our drug induced fog, forget that they had directed you there?"
Marguerite,
I was told nothing about rehab. But I sure can relate to your statement of "drug induced fog". Thank goodness Hubby was there,

What did you use for the itching?
Click to expand...


Where is the itch??:cool:
 

Freddie,
I asked about rehab back then, but my cardiologist said I didn't need it.
The reason was that as soon as I got home, I started walking at least a mile twice a day, every day, rain or shine.
It really shaped me up fast.
Rich
 
Rehab

Rehab

I started cardiac rehab two weeks after my AVR surgery. The cardiac rehab program I entered usually doesn't let people in until they are eight weeks post-op. My cardiologist wanted me in the program early because he wanted to make sure I didn't overdo the post-op exercise thing.

If you're a couple of months post-op, you should probably have a conversation with your cardio doc about getting into a program. I found the program to be really helpful. The nurse who ran my program pushed me, but kept me within the limits specified by my cardiologist. It really felt good.

-Philip
 
My son did not get rehab after his first surgery, but I demanded it after this last one. I think it all depends on how dedicated/motivated you are as to whether you need it or not. My teenager needed it. His rehab also includes 1/2 hour of classroom learning about diet and lifestyle changes. He is almost 6 months out and still going 1x/week. Based on his current ejection fraction, his therapist thinks that he will need to be there for 1-2 years.
 
I started cardiac rehab at the 3-month point post-op. I started a little late because I was having complications with my body rejecting the subcutaneous stitches. We didn't want my chest to rip open during the rehab.

I was in great shape before surgery, but I am very happy that I did rehab. For me, there were 36 sessions -- MWF for 12 weeks. As described earlier, there is the treadmill every session, along with 3-4 exercise machines and free weights. Nurses and exercise physiologists monitor each person very closely. Exercise has many benefits, including a feeling of well-being in my case.

Because rehab is done in a hospital with clinical staff involved, it is expensive. I have seen some of the bills that my insurance company has paid, and it is shocking. Maybe you won't have that problem in Canada.
 
Each province in Canada is somewhat different when it comes to healthcare. The only thing I can tell you is that no one ever mentioned cardiac rehab to me. I know that the Montreal Heart Institute has a place across the street from the Institute where you can go for that type of thing, although I am sure it is not free. Probably the group insurance that I kept when I retired from my job would have reimbursed me most of it. The trouble is that it is about 45 minutes from my house. I am relatively sure that there is no such thing at a local hospital which is about 15 minutes from the house.

In any case, I was very good about walking every day, and when I finally saw my cardio, he gave me the go-ahead for going back to the gym (that was at 4 months). I bought a Polar HR monitor and returned to walking very fast on the treadmill.
 
My surgery was in Montreal and they never mentionned rehab, maybe because I had moved to Ontario.
When I asked my local GP he said the local hospital had something in place.
I was 7 months post op and I went for 3 classes; cardiac knowledge, cardiac meds, and cardiac nutrition. The information binder was $12.00
The walking/exercise classes I never did because they were at 5 p.m. Too late.
 
For some reason, I get the impression, more doctors recomend rehab, for CABG patients and not valve. I think that is a shame, the only reason i can think of is many of the people that need caronary bypass was because of lifestyle, and valve replacements don't have anything to do with choices you've made. So I guess the docs think of the benefit of the lifestyle part of the rehab and don't realize how helpful the PT part would be for anyone recovering from heart surgery.I could of course be way off in my thoughts, BUt that's my theory I came up with during one of my sleepless nights :)
 
My rehab satrted at about 9 weeks post -op. It's rather interesting because my insurance company would call and "Strongly Suggest" that I take advantage of a rehab program (they allow 10 weeks). I have Humana Insurance, and the company has been outstanding during my entire ordeal. My rehab program consists of M-W-F sessions of treadmill, bike, rowing, light weights etc....all monitored via telemetry. My cardio initially commented that I might not require rehab because I am a self-starter, but decided that if available...it would be OK. It's great because it gives me a bit of confidence knowing what my boundaries are regarding how hard...how much I can exercise. It also incorporates lessons regarding diet, exercise, lifestyle etc! I too strongly suggest rehab if at all available.
 
I stared cardio rehab about 3 months out of surgery. Was scared at first thought they were trying to kill me. You have to pace yourself and let them know whats going on, you are on a monitor for a while so they can keep track of your BP readings. It has been great for me I've taken off more weight and have alot more energy. Feel better then I have in years. I would recommend it for everyone thats had open heart or bypasses. Plus you meet alot of great people going through the same issues you are.
 
Lynlw said:
For some reason, I get the impression, more doctors recomend rehab, for CABG patients and not valve. I think that is a shame, the only reason i can think of is many of the people that need caronary bypass was because of lifestyle, and valve replacements don't have anything to do with choices you've made. So I guess the docs think of the benefit of the lifestyle part of the rehab and don't realize how helpful the PT part would be for anyone recovering from heart surgery.I could of course be way off in my thoughts, BUt that's my theory I came up with during one of my sleepless nights :)
Click to expand...
Lyn, I have noticed the same thing....a couple of men in my nutrition class had obviously been on a diet of hotdogs, fries, chips and pizza.
When we all talked about food choices, they admitted it:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top