No cardiac rehab available

[Cozycat]

Well, living out in the desert in a small town has its advantages and its disadvantages. How does one search for a place that does cardiac rehab? My HMO does have a couple of cardiac programs but they are hours away. There are numerous gyms, fitness centers, etc. within 30 minutes but nobody says anything about cardiac rehab.

I'm 6 weeks post op now and feel pretty good--walking every AM and PM without fail. Still have some shortness of breath but am trying to concentrate on deep breathing while walking. I'm also thinking about trying a bicycle which should be interesting because alot of the roads around are dirt (sand!).

Anyone have any suggestions? The feedback on here is so great...told my cardiologists office about this site, but when I go back in a couple of months I'm making a sign to put on their bulletin board.

God works in wonderous ways and directing so many of us here only goes to prove that.

Midge

 

[Lynlw]

Could you call your cardiologist and see if he knows of any, or call you local GP and ask if he could recomend a place. my other thought is are there any local hospitals close by? My mom lives in the Poconos and went to a hospital an hour away for her heart surgery, but the local hospital in her town has rehab. OR are there any physical therapy centers?

 

[Lisa in Katy]

Most hospitals have cardiac rehab programs, even if they don't do OHS. If you can't find one, just go to the gym and have them put together a conditioning program for you. Explain your situation so they are aware and don't overdo it.

 

[SumoRunner]

Look up any physical therapist listed as DPT (Dr of PT). PTs are not just technicians doing the MDs bidding any longer. They are medical specialists in their own right. Over the past decade the whole PT industry has been upgrading it's practitioners. They mostly have doctorates now and can prescribe a regimen for you independently of your cardiologist or in cooperation if you choose.

My son is a DPT working in a local rehab hospital. He does not "take orders" from MDs. When you are referred to him, he's then in charge.

 

[neil]

agree with posts above,remember dont over do it,sometimes you think you can do more than you can and your body kicks you in the butt,nice and easy ok

 

[khawkk]

I would think that an RN at the hospital involved with cardio-rehab would
give you a program that you could take to your nearest gym.
Don't overdo ~~~ It starts out really easy.

this is how I started;
1. stretching
2. 15 minutes bike
3. 15 minutes treadmill
4. 1o minutes very mild weight (1 to 2 #)exercise
5. 10 minutes cool down

Your exercise equipment all have degrees of difficulty you can program into them. Remember, start out easy...be patient.

good luck

 

[escargome]

Hey,
I believe you said you had Kaiser. Don't they have an outlet branch in Lancaster or something? I know that Kaiser has a patient advocate, give that person a call, maybe one of the gym's near your home is/or could be contracted to provide service. Or as posted previously you could get some type of exercise routine from your cardiologist. Given that it's almost time for that desert heat to set in, I would be worried about you out on a bike on those dirt roads. Anyway, I'm sure someone can give you some help. Remind them "they want you to get better, don't they?"

 

[Bina]

Keep going with stretches and walking.
Be careful about biking for a bit longer, if you slip or get bounced around too much, you can possibly injure your sternum.

 

[abbanabba]

Might even be worth seeing if one of the rehab programs can write you up a guideline based on their own activities. If you're looing to do it on your own, it would also be worth getting a heart/BP monitor if you don't already have one, just to make sure you're not overdoing it, but still reaching your recommended target rates.

One of the most useful things I got from rehab was the stretching program, which really helped loosen up my muscles and improve my posture post-surgery. It's important to know which ones are appropriate so you don't damage yourself.

I'm sure if you ask around someone should be able to help you out. All the best!


A : )