If you have recently had a cardiac episode, your doctor will most likely recommend going through a rehabilitation program. This can be done at home or a nursing home facility and is important for acute care and long-term management of your heart health. Here is more information about cardiac rehabilitation programs and what can be expected.

Who needs cardiac rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation programs are generally recommended after you survive a major cardiac event. This could be a heart attack, a serious heart condition like heart failure or coronary artery disease, or a cardiac procedure. The rehabilitation program is a short-term program meant to help you regain your mobility, provide education about heart health, and help you get back to regular physical activity.

What are the different phases of the program?

When you start a cardiac rehabilitation program, you will most likely be involved in several phases. The first phase begins while you are still in the hospital. This is when you receive immediate care following the surgery or cardiac event. You have a team of nurses, doctors, and physical therapists visiting you to make sure you are recovering properly. During the next couple phases, you will return home or to a nursing facility. Many people choose to return home and have short-term rehabilitation care with the help of home care nurses and physical therapists.

At home, you will get help with mobility and gradually increase your physical activity. They will also continue providing important education about how to take better care of yourself to prevent another event like this. The last phase involves maintenance of everything you have learned and continuing to lead a healthy lifestyle.

What is the physical therapy evaluation?

While you are still in the hospital, a physical therapist will visit you to perform an evaluation. This helps them determine what the best rehabilitation program will be for you. During their evaluation, they will do a few tests, including checking your oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, lower extremity strength, upper extremity function, and overall range of motion. This helps them see where you are now and how to set your goals.

The main goal of cardiac rehabilitation is to provide short-term care while you recover, then give you counseling and education that helps you reduce your risk for similar cardiac events in the future. For more information, contact The Village At Morrisons Cove or a similar location.

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