Rehab is important and depend upon what you're recovering from. For patients after surgery, they should generally resume normal activities about 6 weeks after surgery, and hopefully achieve a regular exercise program of 5 or more times a week, aerobic, up to 45 minutes to an hour at a time. For post-MI patients, we will usually begin a gradual exercise program tailored to the overall status of the patient. Some doctors will perform a stress test and give advice depending upon the patient's performance and symptoms, but once again, the general goal for patients and the healthy world alike, is as I mentioned above. These findings are reported back to the doc's and changes made as needed.
Heart disease is our number one health problem and cause of death.
Much of the risk can be reduced by adopting a healthy lifestyle and avoidance of bad habits. Be smart and look for good advice and guidelines from your doctor, the news, the web, wherever you can get it. Living smart makes you live better, and longer. It's certainly been a pleasure. Thanks everyone, for all your great questions.