Cardiac Rehab Questions

[fisher6476]

Yesterday was my first day at rehab. I got connected to telemetry and away I went on the first bike for 9 minutes. The onto the treadmill which was set at a very low incline and rlatively slow speed. I thought I was doing great, feeling good, when i saw two of the employees looking at the monitor, then looking at me, looking at there monitor, then looking at me. Next one of the girls came over and stopped the machine and with a concerned look on her face told me to sit down and relax and asked me if I wanted some water. I said no and she told me that my heart rate was put of control and they wanted to bring it back down. Also they were takling the information downstairs to give to the DR. for his opinion. I was told my heart rate had reached 160 and that concerned the. Soon I was told the DR said it was of no concern and that it was related to my bundle branch block. I finished the rst of the session with no trouble.
Question #1: Wouldn't I know if my heart rate was really fast. Is there any sensation that goes along with this? I felt perfectly normal through this.
Question#2: So far at this heart clinic that up until now I was so impressed with has not impressed me with it's knowledge of bundle branch blocks. Anyone have similar experiences
Steve

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hello Steve,

I don't know 'squat' about "Bundle Branch Blocks" but I have experienced exercise induced A-Fib with HR around 150 or so.
The accompanying feeling is that of some 'weakness' and possibly some Shortness of Breath with a sense of 'being out of sorts'.

Do you know how to feel your pulse in your wrists or neck?

You may want to purchase a Heart Rate Monitor which consists of a chest strap and wrist-watch type of display. These can be found at most sporting goods stores or departments such as at Wallmart, etc. for $30 to $60 depending on manufacturer. I find mine to be very useful when exercising.

The rule of thumb for aerobic exercise is for your HR to be in the range of 60 to 80% of your 'maximum allowable HR which is defined as 220 - AGE. In Rehab, they like you to not increase more than 30 bpm over your resting HR, which seemed pretty slow to me. My Cardiologist approved going to 120-130 bpm for my rehab.

'AL'

 

[Kenny F]

Steve,

I think it just shows why I highly recommend monitored rehab! Imagine if you were out trying to push yourself on your own - the results could be disastrous!

They are not allowed to have rehab open unless there is a Doc in the building, and the EPs and RNs are NOT docs!

 

[JimL]

Hi Steve, I know as much as Al about bundle branch blocks, or maybe less, but your description of the nurses coming over with worried looks sounds so familiar. I don't remember what my heart rate went up to, but it was on the high side, both resting and with exercise. I didn't feel bad either -- I just wanted to increase the settings on the machine, but the nurses kept turning them back.
I soon learned to look at the monitor occasionally while on the machines, and if the heart rate got too high, I'd slow down to keep them happy.
The nurses I had for rehab may not be doctors, but I valued them more highly in that area than any of the doctors I had.

 

[Georgia]

My heart rate was really high for months after surgery; that's why I'm on so much Toprol. It was at least 6 or 7 months before the rate came down below 100 bpm on a regular basis. Particularly late in the day. And my bp was good - 105/70.

It seems that you can't feel the increase in heart rate like you could before the valve surgery. At 100 bpm I didn't feel like it was fast - just comfortable.

When I first went to Phase II (monitored) rehab they had to have me slow down several times due to heart rate increasing too high; the odd thing was that it slowed down very fast, too. I guess the heart has to readjust after such an insult.

 

[Granbonny]

Cardiac Rehab?

Cardiac Rehab?

Another dumb question.. But, why, do your doctor's recommend Rehab..like to Steve..who is only 2 months post-op and Kenny..3 months post-op... when your body has not had a chance to go back together. Chest, cells, muscles, ect. My Cardiologist never mentioned this to me..and we have a Rehab Center 30 miles away. I only started out walking..and would add a little everyday..NO heavy lifting..even at 2 months. Do yall drive yourselves there? I would think my shoulders would have ached something awful...after..being on a threadmill and holding on to bars. Just what does Rehab do..that you cannot do at home? Maybe I was just a whimp..but wanted to take it nice and easy the first 6 months....maybe I was one of the lucky ones..b/p and pulse was always normal after surgery.. I take no meds and b/p is around 128/67..and pulse around 70...and I am age 63 but feel age 39. Bonnie

 

[Kenny F]

Actually, Granbonny, I mentioned it to my cardio after stopping downstairs to visit rehab!

I wanted a structured, monitored program with trained professionals watching me. I also realized that while I do not have cardio-vascular disease, I don't want it. So the combo of exercise and instruction in nutrition, while largely common sense, helped to reinforce a lifestyle that is now the norm.

I think that while we have this endless discussion about valve choice here, we might be missing the reality of potential OHS for bypass! What a horrible irony...

Yes, I drive myself, but I also drive all over town everyday as a Realtor. Rehab is a great way to start the day, gets me going, keeps me focussed on the contiued healing process. And I have discovered the Concept2 Rower - the greatest exercise device ever!

And there is no heavy lifting - they will not even let you use the arm part of the AirDyne bike until 8 weeks post! I will start light weights this week.

Admittedly, I would not pay for this (it's about $250/week!) but since my insurance will, I'm in.

 

[Marge]

<< Just what does Rehab do..that you cannot do at home? >>

Granbonny, you and my cardiologist should get together. You are of one mind on this. I brought up the question of cardiac rehab to him. He thinks there is NO EVIDENCE to show that cardiac rehab does people any more good than exercising on one's own, at home. I told him that I plan to get into cardiac rehab even if I have to pay for it MYSELF. He is a good cardio in most areas, but I think he is dead wrong on this. At least -- wrong for ME. I don't really WANT to take it "nice and easy." I have cancelled too many plans already in the last three and a half months since this diagnosis sailed at me out of the blue. In December I was supposed to be in Mexico exploring archaeological sites; instead I was lying on my back "recovering" from a cardiac catheritization. In February and March I was supposed to be in the UK; instead in February I will be having mitral valve surgery and in March it looks like I will be hanging around the house & trying to learn how to sleep on my back. I have accepted that, but I don't want to lose any more time than I absolutely have to. I want as much of my "real life" back as possible as soon as I can get it -- and I think cardiac rehab will help me do it.
<On edit: Should add ... I am not one of your resident athletes; no triathlons for me, thank you very much. I just want to be in as good shape as possible. I think I will need the monitoring and the structure to get myself there. But again, that's just me. Others may do just fine on their own. I'm afraid that I would always be wondering: could I do more? should I do more?>