Rehab Post AVR

[johnnycake23]

I just a post from Betsy (bbb) and the part regarding her rehab caught my eye. She wrote:

I am really working on excersize, following the Cleveland Clinic program. 5 min warm-up, 5 min. walking, 5 min. cool-down. I'm doing this about 5 times a day, and each day it is easier. You have to wait about 1 1/2 hours after meals to walk, so my days seem so full. Frankly, all the possible depression you hear about, I don't know when I would have the time for that!

Well, when I was discharged I was given no "program", just instructions that I should walk a bit, not strain my chest, keep my legs elevated, stuff like that. I don't have a cardio appt for another 10 days. I wonder if I should call doc to see if there's a pamphlet or something instructing on life at home immediately after surgery, including exercise and rehab. All's I've been doing is walking for about 30-40 minutes a day. No warm-up, cool-down, stretching, etc. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Susan BAV]

Cardio rehab wasn't recommended for me but, after I followed posts like Adam's and others' successes, I'll sure ask about it [next] time. Before discharge, though, I was given some arm exercises to help my chest to heal more correctly, less tight and such. They helped. Otherwise, I was told to walk as much as I was able. That helped recovery also.

It's not too late for you to begin cardio rehab, from what I've read here.

 

[bbb]

Wow, walking 30-40 minutes a day, that is more than I can do. I have a Cleveland Clinic Home Activity book. It was somewhat custom marked for me as to what programs to follow, but seems pretty basic.

Basically in the Walking Program, it tells you to start with each step until you feel you are doing it two days in a row without excessive fatigue. Then proceed to the next step.

Step 1 3-5 minutes walking, 4-6 times a day

Step 2 5-10 minutes walking, 3-4 times a day

Step 3 10-15 minutes walking, 2-3 times a day

Step 4 15-20 minutes walking, 1-2 times a day

Step 5 20-30 minutes walking, 1-2 times a day

You also do 5 minute warm-up, stretching, leg lifting etc. excersizes and I do the 5 minute cooldown just a slow walk or a few stretch excersizes.

They also encourage you to do a cardio-rehab program which I will start once cardio recommends it...not sure when that is. I think I am just about ready to graduate to Step 2 today. You are also prescribed an intensity (RPE scale) and mine was moderate to somewhat heavy.

Hope this helps and since it is an individual program, see what your cardio says, too.

Betsy

 

[Cooker]

I was not set up with rehab either. My cardio said that he would if I wanted him to but since I was playing golf and walking every day at 7 weeks he did not think I needed it. I don't know if I missed out on anything or not.

 

[Freddie]

I too was not sent to no rehab. Not even aware that there is one in town. No Doctor mentioned it to me. But I did have a nagging husband who got me off my butt and got me walking - if that kinda counts

 

[Guest]

I asked for Cardiac Rehab at my pre-op and my cardio set it up. I guess like all things, if you don't ask, you won't get it. Take advantage of cardiac rehab if you can, it will be worth it.

 

[Philip B]

Rehab

Rehab

I don't think it's unusual for cardio docs to not percescribe a cardiac rehab program for patients immediately following AVR surgery. Mine told me he usually doesn't worry about getting patients into rehab until they are six weeks to six months post-op.

This said, he had me enroll in a formal program two weeks post-op because he didn't want me to push myself too fast or too hard. Enrollment in the program did help me avoid getting carried away and over doing things.

As others have said, these programs seem to be a tremendous benefit for a lot of folks. I really enjoyed my program. It helped me set and reach realistic goals. Pursuing enrollment in a program with your cardio doc would probably be a good thing.

-Philip

 

[starrman]

I am just starting my cardiac rehab at the hospital and it has been seven weeks since the big day for aortic valve and root replacement. This is what my cardiologist highly suggested; so I do it with a smile! - Jim