Inpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
After your surgery you will be weak and need to rebuild your abilities to move and walk comfortably. An exercise physiologists from inpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (Phase I) will work with you during your hospitalization to help you regain your strength. Exercise physiologists provide exercise instruction, patient counseling and education. All exercise physiologists have a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise physiology.
Education for the cardiovascular patient
Before your procedure
Pre-operative consultation is provided to open heart surgery patients and family members regarding surgery, inpatient care and expectations for recovery. This information includes:
After your procedure
Discharge instructions for open heart surgery patients and family members regarding home rehabilitation and risk factor modification will be provided. These include:
Guidelines for going home following cardiac surgery brochure—This brochure is individualized for your recovery plan and will therefore be provided after surgery.
Exercise prescription
You will begin moving/walking with your exercise physiologist present within 24 to 48 hours after your surgery. You will walk three to four times a day, continuing for the entire length of your stay. Intensity is monitored through your heart rate, blood pressure, electrogardiogram, pulse oximetry and ratings of perceived exertion. Duration is dependent on frequency, intensity and patient tolerance.
Program benefits
- Improve cardiovascular and respiratory function
- Increase strength, endurance and autonomy
- Reduce secondary complication such as blood clots and pneumonia
- Stabilize patient’s response to low level activity and to reduce associated anxiety
- Quicken post-op recovery time and length of hospital stay
- Prevent weakness and complications caused by prolonged bed rest
- Provide education on the patient’s disease state in preparation for discharge to home or transitional care facility
- Educate patients on lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation, dietary guidelines and exercise recommendations
- Educate patients regarding exercise and symptom recognition regarding exercise intolerance
- Facilitate entry into outpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (Phase II/III).
Rehabilitation candidates
You are a candidate for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation if you have had or are having one of the following procedures or conditions:
- Open heart surgery (valve, bypass)
- Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
- Myocardial infarction (MI)
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm (T-AA)
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
- Thoracic abdominal aneurysm (T-AAA)
- Transyocardial Revasculartion (TMR)
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Pericardial window
- Vascular; coratid endarectomy (CEA), aorta bifemoral bypass graft ( Fem-pop)
- Lung; thorocotomy (VAT), lobectomies
- Smokers
For more information, please call the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation department at 513-585-0441.