Cardiac Rehab Useful?

[marywoody]

My question for you good people is, how important is the cardiac rehab? I've read some other posts here on the subject, but am not really clear on what everybody thinks. I've got a call in to my Dr., but haven't yet heard from him.

I have run into a bit of a problem with my employer. My cardiologist told me I could return to work as soon as I was comfortable doing the cardiac rehab. I still haven't been able to start rehab (waiting on paperwork), but I had thought to return to work by March 6th and take off the time as necessary to go to rehab. But my employer has thrown a glitch into the works. They do not want me to come back unless I can be there all day, every day - no time off for rehab. The only way I can do the rehab is to stay on disability for the time necessary. Unfortunately, after March 6th, that only pays 50% of my normal salary. We really don't have that kind of stretch in our budget!

Also, originally my employer said I could start back on half days, but now - since I've been out longer than 8 weeks - they are insisting on full days from the get-go. How did you guys do who went back to work full time right away. My job is a "desk" job, but usually involves a lot of walking back and forth and carrying stuff around - not to mention the 35 minute commute each way.

 

[Rich]

Mary,
I didn't go thru any rehab but rather walked a lot, at least a mile twice a day every day and it really helped build my strength.
I know the weather isn't great for that right now.
If your doctor feels you are ready to return to work than I guess you have no choice but if he doesn't think so than I think your employer would have to respect his opinion.
If your employer went against the doctor they could be in a lot of trouble.
Is there any way for you to go to rehab after work?
Could you go walking in a local shopping mall, that is something that is very popular here.

 

[marywoody]

Thanks for you input - I really appreciate it! We live out in the back of beyond - the closest mall is 45 minutes away. I do walk on a treadmill, tho. I'm more worried about upper body strength. I have some light weights, but I don't know how to use them properly. Every time I try, I end up really sore! The closest rehab (also 45 minutes away) is open very limited hours and not at all in the evenings. I don't know yet what my doctor is going to say - I know he wanted me to do rehab, but I don't know if he's going to insist on it. If he does, I expect we'll just have to take the hit in our wallet. I just need to decide what to do if he leaves it up to me. . .Please forgive me if I sound whiny. Just feel kinda whiny right this minute!

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Mary

My husband had AVR surgery this past June. Our cardio didn't feel rehab was necessary as long as he walked and was active, which he was. He did very well. I think your age and level of activity prior to surgery is important. Tyce and I are both walkers, and he has always been active, so it worked to our advantage.

Might I recommend you getting some Leslie Sansone walking tapes. She has lots of different levels, but one that is a cross training tape---a 2 mile walk and light 1-2 lb. handweights. I love it, especially for days when the weather is bad or if I don't get home before dark. She has all types, one set that starts with a 1-mile tape, progresses to a 2 mile walk, and then a third tape with a 3 mile walk on it.....I happen to like the cross training because it uses muscles I haven't used in quite a while. Check with your Dr. and see what he says......Evelyn

 

[JimL]

I found cardiac rehab to be EXTREMELY helpful, and I highly recommend it to everyone.

But, how was it helpful? I think it was psychologically helpful. The nurses were there to tell me what I could and couldn't do. There was the interaction with the other patients.

But, now that you've gone several months after surgery, and are facing the return to work, the rehab would, I think, be less helpful than right after surgery.

Perhaps you can take some of your questions to the rehab nurses and get answers, such as what the appropriate level of exercise is. Most rehabs allow you to pay by the session -- perhaps only one session would be enough to answer your questions.

 

[Gail in Ca]

My cardiac rehab was called "start walking as soon as you can, the sooner the better".
It worked fine for me bacause I already was walking the fox terrier twice a week.
If you want rehab from the real therapists and your insurance covers it, go for it.
Gail

 

[marywoody]

Thanks again for your comments, folks! I'm doing phase II right now, but am ending it after six sessions so I can go to work. Am planning on staying with phase III. Have never been very self-disciplined in the exercise department so am hoping the rehab will help. I have been walking since I got home - the surgeon had me walking increasing times from the very first. With the weather being as cold as it has been walking outside has been a no can do, but we borrowed a treadmill from our niece. Good thing, too! I shudder to think how hard the rehab would be if I didn't have some exercise during these past weeks! I actually kinda like the rehab - that's a first for me - liking exercise! Maybe it's because of all the cool machines I get to play on. As a wannabe techie, I love gadgets!

 

[terry40]

Marywood

Marywood

Yea, they do have some neat machines there, the Nu-e-stepper, it's my favorite, too expensive for me to get a home one.

It's cold here too, so my old treadmill has come in real handy, we even dusted off and oiled my old stationary bike to add a bit of variety.

My rehab is 10 minutes away, I don't even mind the drive on all those snowy days we have had and always on my rehab days.

Terry40

 

[Gail in Ca]

Is your sweet kitty a purebred?
It looks kinda like my ocicat.
Gail

 

[medtronic of borg]

Suggestions

Suggestions

Take the rehab!!! While pretending to do your work at home. Mime it out for as long as you can. Use this daily retuine to judge if you really could go back to work. In my case I wasn't ready yet and was fired because I couldn't keep up the ten to forteen hour days. Also file with the department of Social Services for emergency assitance just for the gap time.