Cardiac rehabilitation is a way for people who have had bypass, valve replacement, transplant, or other cardiac surgical procedures to get going again. A team of physicians, nurses, exercise physiologists and nutritionists will help you feel well again by leading you through a rehab program designed to fit your needs. There are four phases of cardiac rehabilitation. I begins early after a cardiac event, while you are still in the hospital. This phase usually includes light supervised exercise such as walking the halls and stair climbing.
Additional education is provided by hospital nurses and physical therapists.
You should ask the hospital staff about risk factors, diet, medication instruction, sexual activity, exercise and normal life at home. Phase II Phase II is the early outpatient phase of cardiac rehabilitation. This phase usually requires a physician referral and involves telemetry monitoring. Entrance into the program is usually 2 to 6 weeks after discharge from the hospital. Most programs meet for one hour three or more times per week for twelve weeks.