exercise

[Big-Chuck]

Hello, I am 3.5 wks post Mitral valve repair. There is not a cardiac rehab program available for me through the local VA hospital and I am having problems with arm movement and shoulder pain. Is there any programs or exercises I can do to rebuild my strength. Any advice is appreciated as I hate not being able to use my arms.

 

[ar bee]

i had to get by with diy rehab as well, however:

* the physio in the hospital showed me a lot of exercises i can/should/must do.
* i kept on working with the spiro for a few more weeks, if done properly this also helps to relax muscles of the upper body
* i then started goign to the gym (slowly slowly), after warm up i do simple shoulder rotation, lifting arms forward, etc. thereby carefully watching that I do NOT stretch too much

no physio around where you live??

well2u
ar bee

 

[Rich]

Chuck,
I did not have any rehab as well, my doctor said I didn't need it.
And he was right.
I walked at least a mile twice a day, every day.
It really helped rebuild my strenghth.
Would that help your arms and shoulders, I couldnt say.
Rich

 

[perrybucsdad]

Hello, I am 3.5 wks post Mitral valve repair. There is not a cardiac rehab program available for me through the local VA hospital and I am having problems with arm movement and shoulder pain. Is there any programs or exercises I can do to rebuild my strength. Any advice is appreciated as I hate not being able to use my arms.

Sex works great... just easy do it and nothing exotic.

 

[INRtest]

Hello, I am 3.5 wks post Mitral valve repair. There is not a cardiac rehab program available for me through the local VA hospital and I am having problems with arm movement and shoulder pain. Is there any programs or exercises I can do to rebuild my strength. Any advice is appreciated as I hate not being able to use my arms.

[I just wrote this response and then my computer crashed.]
Does your dr. want you to begin exercising already? I literally could not lift my head for a good month after my surgery last year. As I began to gather a little strength, one of the very first "exercises" for my arms was stretching a large rubber band (not a little rubberband), available at any sporting goods store in various strengths. It took a while, but eventually I gained quite a bit of lost strength in my arms. Another very important exercise is walking and eventually using a treadmill at a gym to build up your stamina.

You have to be patient. It may take a while, but eventually I think many of us do quite well with time and conditioning. I can honestly say that in many ways I'm stronger now than before my MV burst last yr. requiring emergency surgery.

Good luck.

 

[William]

At this stage, just movement seems good enough. Move your arms all around as often that is comfortable. Don't even think about adding weights yet. Check with the Docs before anything though. Will