Surviving a heart attack, stroke, heart surgery or a heart disease diagnosis is just the start of a longer health journey. In the months that follow, recovery may focus on regaining independence, preventing long-term cardiac issues and reducing the risk of future complications.
Cardiac rehabilitation provides structured guidance to return to daily life while strengthening your heart health. At Avon Health Center, our programs combine exercise therapy with nutrition counseling, stress management, education and other lifestyle changes to support lasting cardiovascular wellness.
What Is Cardiac Rehab?
Approximately 800,000 Americans experience a heart attack each year. For about 25 percent of these individuals, it’s not their first time.
Patients hospitalized for a heart attack or stroke usually receive life-saving treatment at the hospital before being discharged back home. However, a growing number of medical professionals have observed the benefits of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and direct patients to facilities like Avon Health Center.
This form of short-term rehabilitation begins soon after your hospital stay and continues based on medical needs and progress. Patients are prescribed a combination of exercise training, heart health education, nutritional counseling and other forms of support.
Cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to reduce future heart attack risks by nearly one-third and stroke risks by 60 percent. Treatment can also improve mental health and overall outlook on life.
What Can You Expect?
Avon Health Center structures our program around three distinct stages. First you’ll be assessed for heart disease risks, undergoing an EKG as well as blood and stress tests. The results allow our team to develop a personalized treatment plan with multiple short-term and long-term goals for recovery.
- Phase One: Treatment begins in the hospital with various tests to examine your heart and blood vessel health and physical stamina.
- Phase Two: Per your medical history, we prescribe an exercise program intended to boost endurance. Individual plans generally include aerobic exercises, like walking or using a stationary bike, plus strength training. Throughout this phase, our staff checks your heart rate and blood pressure to ensure a safe and healthy recovery. Additionally, we’ll recommend a heart-healthy diet and strategies to manage your weight, reduce stress, keep track of your medications, and quit smoking.
- Phase Three: You’ll transition home with an outpatient cardiac rehab plan and guidance to continue recovering independently.
Conditions for Cardiac Rehabilitation
Doctors recommend cardiac rehabilitation for patients recovering from several heart or blood vessel issues, including:
- Heart attacks
- Heart failure
- Stable angina
- Adapting to a ventricular assist device
- Heart and lung transplants
- Heart valve repairs and replacements
- Coronary artery bypass grafting
- Coronary artery angioplasty
- Heart disease
- Strokes
- Peripheral artery disease
- Blockages
- Cardiomyopathies
- Congenital heart diseases
- Surgery for a stent
What Are the Benefits of Cardiac Rehab?
Many individuals feel weak and unable to resume their everyday lives following surgery or a cardiac incident. Our program at Avon Health Center guides the early stages of recovery while preserving long-term health. Benefits of treatment include:
- A stronger, more resilient heart
- Easier walking and everyday activities
- Lower heart attack and heart disease risks
- Better stress management
- Lower rates of depression and anxiety
- Effective weight management
- Smoking cessation
- Increased physical activity
- Fewer incidents of chest pain or shortness of breath
- Increased life expectancy (up to five years)
About to have surgery or managing a loved one’s stroke recovery?
To learn more about our short-term rehabilitation services,
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