What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehab doesn’t change your past, but it can help you improve your heart’s future.
Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised program designed to improve your cardiovascular health if you have experienced a heart attack, heart failure, angioplasty, or heart surgery.
The 3 Parts of Cardiac Rehab
It involves three equally important pillars:
1. Exercise Counseling
Exercise gets your heart pumping and your entire system working. You’ll learn how to get your body moving in ways that are safe and promote heart health.
2. Education
How can you manage your risk factors? This part focuses on quitting smoking, making heart-healthy nutrition choices, and understanding your care.
3. Stress Counseling
Stress hurts your heart. Rehab helps you identify and tackle everyday sources of stress to protect your mental and physical well-being.
Getting Started
You don’t need to face heart disease alone. Rehab is a team effort involving doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and your family.
- Ask: Check with your doctor if you are eligible.
- Register: Sign up for a program near you.
- Set Goals: Consult with your medical team to define success.
- Plan: Work together to create a custom rehab plan.
- Act: Take an active role in your care and keep taking medications correctly.
Understanding Your Condition
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common heart condition. It is often caused by Atherosclerosis—the buildup of plaque in the inner walls of the arteries.
Much of your rehab plan centers on minimizing or reversing this buildup through lifestyle changes and medications. Understanding why the condition developed helps you understand why sticking to your goals is so important.