| What is Cardiac Rehabilitation? |
 |
| Cardiac rehabilitation is a multi-dimensional
program designed for those who suffer from heart
disease. The program reduces their future risk through
medical evaluation, prescribed exercise, cardiac
risk factor modification, education and counseling. |
Goals of the program
are to:
- Decrease further risk of disease or heart
attacks
- Instill confidence to resume work and normal
activities of daily living
- Begin an exercise program that is safe and
effective
- Improve dietary habits and lifestyle
- Speed up the psychological aspects of recovery
|
 |
Recovery
from Bypass Surgery/Angioplasty/Heart Attack
|
| A heart attack or an intervention
procedure such as bypass surgery or angioplasty
is a consequence of heart disease. After the event,
it is crucial to keep your risk factors to a minimum,
to keep your arteries free of blockage, which is
the main aim of the program. Patients are eligible
to join the program one to four weeks after discharge,
depending on their medical condition. |
 |
| Is Cardiac
Rehab right for me? |
The program is
recommended for individuals who have experienced
any one or more of the following conditions:
- Heart attack
- Bypass surgery
- Angioplasty (stent)
- Angiography showing blockage
- Angina
- Heart valve surgery
- Heart transplant surgery
|
| How will
this help me? |
| Studies have shown
that Cardiac Rehabilitation significantly reduces
the risk of future death and complications of heart
disease. The focus of the program is not just on
exercise, but to change your lifestyle and risk
factors to achieve a long and healthy life, free
of heart disease. |
| Will my doctor
be involved? |
| Your
personal physician and cardiologist are an integral
part of your care and will be informed about your
progress. They will also be involved in any decision
affecting your medical care. |
Phases
of Cardiac Rehabilitation: |
Phase
I: In the hospital
This begins in the hospital following a heart
attack, heart surgery or angioplasty. Low level
physical activity begins in the ICU itself and
is gradually increased during the stay in hospital.
Education on cardiac risk factors is initiated
and the patient is advised appropriate lifestyle
modification.
|
 |
| Phase II
: Out-patient The patient attends the
program 3 times a week at the Rehabilitation Center.
During each session the patient exercises using
state-of-the-art portable heart monitoring equipment,
known as telemetry. This ensures optimal amount
of exercise in the safest manner possible.
An individualized program of lifestyle modification,
including in-depth nutrition counseling is planned.
All of the patients risk factors are monitored,
and kept under strict control. Patients are also
introduced to Yoga meditation techniques. The
duration of the program is between one and three
months, depending on the medical condition.
|
 |
| Phase III:
This begins on completion of Phase
II, once the patient is more independent. The
focus continues on education and lifestyle modification
and risk reduction. Exercise is performed under
supervision, and telemetry is used if indicated. |
 |
| Other
programs: In addition to the above,
Asian Heart regularly conducts week-end camps,
designed to help those who are unable to attend
our regular programs. These are usually conducted
on Sunday and the goal is to introduce the patient
to various risk reduction methods, which they
can then follow on their own.
|
| What
if I do not have heart disease? |
| We have
a ‘Heart Disease Prevention Program’
for those who are at risk, but have not suffered.
An individualized program of exercise, nutrition,
and medications (if required) are planned for the
person, with a goal to reduce future risk of disease.
Tests are carried out before and after the program
to assess the cardiac status. |
Our Achievements/
Milestones:
- 59 patients (after bypass surgery or angioplasty)
took part and successfully completed the Dream
Run in the 2005, Mumbai Marathon.
- Patients with high blood pressure experienced
a significant decrease in their blood pressure
( 14mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure
and 8 mmHg decrease in their diastolic blood
pressure) after being in the program for 2 months.
- Patients with high cholesterol and those
with diabetes experienced a significant reduction
in their total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol,
triglycerides and their blood sugar.
- High-risk patients (those with an ejection
fraction (EF) below 35%) participated in the
program, with no adverse events and experienced
benefits, similar to other patients
( Data presented at the Cardiological Society
of India Annual Meeting, December 2004) |
"Asian Heart cardiac rehab patients participating
in the Mumbai Marathon, 2005"
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| Stories
From The Heart: |
At
age 32, I got the shock of my life, when I was
told I needed heart surgery. After, surgery, Cardiac
Rehab helped me regain my strength and confidence.
I even lost 15 kg in three months.
Mr.Satchid Sargaonka,. Age
32 Bypass surgery on 15 september,2004.
|
I
had an angiography with one 100% blockage and
was adviced surgery. However, My cardiac surgeon
(Dr.Panda) advised Cardiac Rehab. At first I thought
it was a gym,but then realized that exercise was
only one component and the overall emphasis was
on complete health and cardiac care.
Mr.Rajendra Jhaveri, Age53.Angiography
on 24 August,2003. |
After
enrolling in Cardiac Rehab I have experienced
much better control of my blood sugar and blood
pressure. I lead a normal life as if nothing has
ever happened to my heart.
Mrs. Villy Elavia,Age 64.Angioplasty
on 18 July,2003. |
After
bypass surgery I was very scared to undertake any
exertion due to advanced age and low pumping capacity
of my heart (EF was 25%), but now I feel young again
and am able to walk more than an hour daily and
took part in the Mumbai Marathon 2005.
Mr.
Ramesh Bhimani, Age 76.Bypass surgery on 24 December,2003. |
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