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Medical Forum / General / Cardiology / December 2004

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Cardiac rehab question

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Carol - 03 Dec 2004 01:24 GMT
My husband had quadruple bypass three months ago.  He refuses to go to
a cardiac rehab program.

He currently walks two miles daily on our treadmill (30 minutes twice
a day at 2 mile per hour).  The speed has been increasing slowly.  He
has been doing 30 minutes twice a day for about the past two months -
started MUCH slower.  He wears a heart monitor that measures heart
rate.  Before that he did the at home walking program given to him by
the physical therapist at the hospital.

I watch his diet carefully.  Luckily he does not and never has had a
weight problem so I'm mostly watching the saturated and trans fats.
He's also never had any blood pressure problems and the doctor said
salt is not a big issue.

I'm wondering what a cardiac rehab program might do for him that he
isn't doing for himself.  While I know he won't go to one he would be
willing to do other things at home.  He had a very rough time (in the
hospital 20 days) and recovery has been very slow and difficult.  He's
exhausted most of the day but does his exercises no matter what.

What else should he/we be doing?  Please don't say go to rehab because
he just won't do it.

Thanks.
Ed Mathes - 03 Dec 2004 03:40 GMT
Cardiac rehab involves progressive aerobic exercise under the supervision of
trained medical staff, nurses, PAs, NPs and cardiologists.

You were a small EKG transmitter that the staff watch on a monitor at the
control station.  They can see exactly the EKG pattern, how regular it is,
how fast or slow it is, and whether or not there are any abnormal beats.

They take your blood pressure periodically to make sure its is not getting
to high or too low.

They encourage you to drink water so as to not get dehydrated.

They offer psychological and emotional support while in the program.

They also offer classes on nutrition, healthy cooking, support groups,
family support.

And if you keel over while exercising, emergency equipment, defibrillator,
and trained people are right there....no panicking, running to the phone,
fumbling, calling 911, waiting 5-??? minutes for an ambulance, hope you get
a paramedic.

I believe participating in an unsupervised exercise program after heart
attack and/or intervention (bypass or angioplasty/stent) is playing with
fire and your life.

Ed

> My husband had quadruple bypass three months ago.  He refuses to go to
> a cardiac rehab program.
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> Thanks.
Bill - 03 Dec 2004 05:34 GMT
> My husband had quadruple bypass three months ago.  He refuses to go to
> a cardiac rehab program.
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> Thanks.

I think you need to ask him why he won't go and discuss the reasons with him.

I found it quite helpful. There is coaching involved and someone well trained
who helps set your pace. You learn about things like warm up and cool down.
And you are working out with others and develop friendships. All of this
increases motivation and confidence.

Bill
 
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