If you recently had heart surgery or experienced a serious heart event, your cardiologist may have recommended cardiac rehabilitation. There is a very good reason for that. In fact, there are many. Cardiac rehabilitation, commonly known as cardiac rehab, helps patients recover safely and develop habits that support long-term heart health.
Why and When You Need Cardiac Rehab
Your heart powers your entire body. When it is not functioning well, your overall health can suffer. Some heart conditions occur because of factors that are outside your control, but many are influenced by lifestyle choices. This means there are steps you can take to lower your risk of heart problems.
Heart-healthy habits such as eating nutritious foods, staying physically active, not smoking, managing stress, and getting quality sleep play a major role in preventing heart disease. These habits are even more important after heart surgery or a heart-related diagnosis, but getting started safely is not always easy.
Cardiac rehab provides the guidance you need.
This medically supervised program helps you recover while teaching you how to protect your heart. Your cardiologist, cardiothoracic surgeon, or another cardiovascular specialist may recommend cardiac rehab if:
You experienced a heart attack or survived cardiac arrest
You have a chronic heart condition such as coronary artery disease or heart failure
You recently had heart surgery or a heart procedure, including bypass surgery, pacemaker placement, or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator
How Cardiac Rehab Works
Cardiac rehab can set you on the path to stronger heart health. At West Tennessee Healthcare, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program includes three weekly sessions for 12 weeks.
During the program, you participate in:
Supervised and monitored exercise
These sessions help you strengthen your heart safely and gradually.
Education on heart-healthy habits, including:
Eating a heart-healthy diet
Managing stress
Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight
Avoiding tobacco
Reducing risk factors for heart disease
You will also learn how your heart works and receive personalized guidance based on your condition or recovery goals. This information helps you make informed decisions that lower your risk of future heart problems.
The Benefits of Cardiac Rehab
Cardiac rehab is more than helpful. It can be life-saving. Research shows that completing a cardiac rehab program reduces the risk of hospitalization, improves quality of life, and lowers the chance of death from heart disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiac rehab can:
Improve medication adherence
Boost mood and emotional well-being
Increase energy
Reduce stress
Encourage long-term healthy habits
Ease symptoms such as chest pain
Strengthen both the heart and overall fitness
The benefits are significant. Patients who complete cardiac rehab have up to 30 percent fewer fatal heart events and a 35 percent lower risk of dying within five years.
Take the Next Step for Your Heart
Your heart deserves attentive, expert care. At West Tennessee Heart and Vascular Center, you will find a team dedicated to helping you recover safely and improve your long-term heart health. Learn more about the comprehensive services we provide, including cardiac rehabilitation.
