Cardiac Rehab: Helping You After A Heart Attack | NoCo Fitness

CARDIAC REHAB: HOW IT CAN HELP YOU IMPROVE HEALTH AFTER A HEART ATTACK

Written on: August 9, 2022

cardiac rehab

Have you or someone you know recently suffered a heart attack or cardiovascular disease? Making informed choices about your health can be a game-changer. At NoCo Fitness, we believe in the transformative power of cardiac rehab.

  • Enhancing Quality of Life: Engaging in beneficial physical activity can significantly uplift your daily living experience. Post a heart attack; it’s not just about survival but thriving.

  • The Power of Cardiac Rehab: Cardiac rehab programs are structured, safe, and proven. They emphasize heart health, ensuring fewer complications and risk factors.

  • Holistic Approach: Beyond physical activity, a healthy lifestyle encompasses diet, stress management, and regular monitoring. It’s an investment in heart health for the long run.

  • Tailored For You: Individualized exercise programs within cardiac rehab ensure that every client gets the perfect attention and regimen for their unique situation.

  • Avoiding Complications: Cardiac rehab is more than exercise; it’s about education, understanding risk factors, and making informed choices to prevent potential complications.

Don’t just focus on recovery. Prioritize your heart health with our cardiac rehab program and embrace a rich quality of life and vigor. It’s time to move beyond heart failure and towards a heart-healthy future!

What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation, or “cardiac rehab” as commonly called, is a multifaceted program designed to assist individuals in their recovery after experiencing a heart event, like a heart attack or undergoing heart surgery for coronary artery disease or coronary artery bypass graft. It aims to help survivors regain their former vitality in their physical activity and instill habits that promote long-term cardiovascular health.

Understanding Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehab is more than just an exercise regimen. It’s an effective program comprehensive exercise plan that combines physical activity with education and counseling, equipping individuals with the tools they need for heart-healthy living.

Phases of Cardiac Rehabilitation

  • Phase I – Immediate Recovery

    • Initiated post-cardiac events like follow-up cardiac medications or other medication regimens administered by your healthcare providers during your hospital stay.
    • Emphasizes improvement in clinical status and recovery from the immediate cardiac event and completion of treatment in an inpatient setting.
    • Like your physical therapist, your primary healthcare provider addresses limitations to activities and lays the groundwork for future phases of the treatment plan for your physical rehabilitation program.

 

  • Phase II – Guided Recovery with NoCo Fitness

    • Commences after hospital discharge.
    • It involves the interprofessional intervention of multidisciplinary teams, working closely with the cardiac rehabilitation team, including exercise physiologists and medical professionals like occupational therapists, to formulate detailed protocols to ensure the attainment of cardiac rehabilitation goals and determine patients’ restrictions of participation in exercise. 
    • Customized exercise program developed based on your medical history,  physical exam, current cardiovascular function, and initial evaluation.
    • Continuous monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar, and cardiac function during exercise sessions.

 

  • Phase III – Lifelong Maintenance

    • Often seen as the treatment phase that lasts a lifetime.
    • It can be pursued individually or within a structured cardiac rehabilitation program.
    • It focuses on maintaining cardiovascular health, improving functional capacity, and preventing another cardiovascular event.

Why Embrace Cardiac Rehab?

For many heart attack survivors, cardiac rehab is more than just a program; it’s a lifeline. Here’s why:

  • Improved Outcomes: Statistics reveal decreased mortality in cardiac arrest rate, lesser exposure to cardiovascular risk factors and a decrease in heart disease risk factors of individual patients from heart conditions, and a surge in survival rates post-heart attack for those participating in cardiac rehab.

  • Holistic Health: Participants often report better mental health and improved psychosocial health, like a boost in patient’s self-confidence beyond cardiac function, citing reduced depression in patients and anxiety.

  • Secondary Prevention Program: One of the primary objectives of cardiac rehab is heart disease prevention, ensuring cardiovascular risk reduction for future hearts.

  • Personalized Care: Every cardiac patient is unique, which is why NoCo Fitness, located in Greeley, Colorado, emphasizes an individualized program, taking into account personal medical conditions and activity level.

  • Support and Community: Often, the journey can feel isolating. Cardiac rehab offers a community where individuals can share their stories, challenges, and victories.

In conclusion, if you or someone you know has recently undergone a heart procedure, like coronary artery bypass surgery or heart valve repair, or experienced a cardiac disease like arterial disease, peripheral artery disease or atherosclerotic disease, consider cardiac rehab an effective recovery and prevention program. With a structured approach, professional guidance, and the right attitude, a future heart attack or excessive stress on the heart can be effectively prevented.

What Can You Expect from a Cardiac Rehab Exercise Program?

Delving Deeper into the Exercise Regimen

Your cardiac rehab will likely encompass a variety of exercises to help enhance physical function and capacity:

  1. Aerobic Conditioning: Walking, cycling, jogging, rowing and other aerobic exercises are typically recommended. When executed correctly, these impact activities bolster heart rate and promote better cardiovascular disease management. Expect to engage in these non-strenuous exercises on average three times a week.

  2. Strength Training: Strength training in exercise training programs is pivotal in enhancing one’s range of motion and physical capacity. Engage in muscle-strengthening activities, such as lifting weights, twice to thrice weekly. If you’re unfamiliar with weightlifting, fear not. The care team at NoCo Fitness will guide you, ensuring optimal exercise tolerance and reducing the physiological stresses of your physical rehabilitation program.

  3. Personalized Approach: Your personal goals and health history are crucial. Every exercise training program is adjusted to cater to individual needs, ensuring the most effective method for healthier lifestyles post-cardiac rehab.

The Role of NoCo Fitness in Your Rehabilitation Journey

Located in Greeley, Colorado, NoCo Fitness is a beacon for those seeking to reclaim their lives after heart challenges. Our facility boasts:

  • State-of-the-Art Equipment: Designed to cater to your unique exercise needs, ensuring the highest safety standards.

  • Expert Care Team: Our certified personal trainers are dedicated to helping you reach your personal goals and resume normal activities.

  • Customized Exercise Plans: No two cardiac rehab sessions are the same. We tailor the exercise plan to match your physical function, activity level, and personal goals.

If you’re eyeing a systematic transition to regular exercise habits after rehabilitation, NoCo Fitness in Greeley, Colorado, offers unmatched support. Schedule a consultation today to begin this transformative journey and achieve optimum cardiovascular rehabilitation.

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