One of the key approaches to the recovery process for heart bypass patients like Bill Clinton is something called cardiac rehabilitation. It's well recognized that you can't just discharge a bypass patient and say see you in a year. Not only do they need to be instructed on exercise, but they need guidance in every aspect of their lifestyle. This is what cardiac rehab is all about.
Cardiac rehabilitation is the key to the recovery process for heart bypass patients like Bill Clinton. It's well recognized that you can't just discharge a bypass patient and say see you in a year. Not only do they need to be instructed on exercise, but they need guidance in every aspect of their lifestyle. This is what cardiac rehab is all about.
For 49 year old Sam Ciorciari, cardiac rehab was an important step to the road to recovery. "They found three blockages, two at 90%, one at 80% and I was accounted for triple bypass surgery." Sam was just 47 years old when he had his open heart surgery. Doctors insisted he go for cardiac rehabilitation. "It really feels go to go. 3 times a week, I go and it's part of my routine and overall, my overall health I believe has improved." says Sam.
In cardiac rehabilitation, the patient works with doctors and nurses in an exercise program. It typically involves getting on a treadmill, a bike or a rowing machine, while being monitored closely. The patient starts slowly, and gradually builds up his or her exercise tolerance. But it isn't just exercise. The goal is also to help the person get accustomed to important lifestyle changes according to cardiologist Susanne Steinbaum. "We deal with exercise, nutrition, smoking sensation and also things like relaxation, stress management and group support. We need to look at cardiac rehab as a prevention for the future, in terms of preventing all the risk factors from happening again." "I finished here on a Wednesday and Friday I was at the gym and I feel great." says Sam.
Sadly, while cardiac rehabilitation is associated with a significant survival benefit, only about fifty percent of heart attack patients receive it according to the results of a new study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Risk of death and repeat heart attack were shown to be lower in those getting the rehab. Many experts, in New York and other states, believe hitting the campaign trail would be inadvisable because of the stress factor, at least four to six weeks before you even drive a car, and probably a similar time frame before you can have sex. According to Englewood Hospital cardiologist Dr. Nate Lebowitz, "If you can walk up two flights of stairs without chest pains or shortness of breath, no problem. That's the guidelines."
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