Rehabilitation for heart disorders

[Dave Paprocki]

Cardiac rehabilitation is useful for some people who have had a recent heart attack, heart failure or coronary artery disease that has recently developed or suddenly worsened, or heart surgery. The goal is to maintain or regain independence or, at the least, to do basic activities of daily living, within the constraints of abnormal heart function. (See also Overview of Rehabilitation.)
Remaining in bed for longer than 2 or 3 days can lead to weakening of muscles and the heart (deconditioning) and even depression. Therefore, cardiac rehabilitation is started as soon as possible after the person has been stabilized, if needed (as after a heart attack), and usually while the person is still in the hospital.
Rehabilitation programs typically begin with light activity, such as transferring to and sitting in a chair. When these activities can be done comfortably, usually by the second or third day, more moderate activities, such as dressing, grooming, and walking short distances, are begun.
In many hospitals, people are taken to a physical therapy gym. There, exercise may involve walking on a treadmill or using a stationary bike. If fatigue or discomfort occurs as activity is increased, the person is instructed to stop immediately and rest until symptoms disappear. A doctor then reassesses how well the person