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Real members of MyHeartDiseaseTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

ClarissaChappell, is now recovering from Coronary Artery Bypass surgery a month ago, and want to know about cardiac Rehabilitation?

A MyHeartDiseaseTeam Member asked a question 💭
Los Angeles, CA
August 11
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A MyHeartDiseaseTeam Member

Cardiac rehab is extremely helpful. I had a triple bypass in 2020. Going to cardiac rehab wasn't always easy but it was so helpful. It has supervised exercise on stationary bicycle, Nustep , treadmill etc. I started out being out of breath just walking from my car to the exercise room. I went 3 times a week for 12 weeks. In the end I could walk from my car to the exercise without getting out of breath. It really shows you how important exercise is after the surgery and I have kept up with the exercise ever since. I am 6 years past the surgery now and doing great. The rehab could be very frustrating at times when I felt I wasn't making as much progress as I wanted, but in the end it really helped immensely. They also have educational programs and the chance to ask questions. It gave me a lot of confidence going forward.

August 11
A MyHeartDiseaseTeam Member

Cardiac Rehab can be very beneficial, but I would recommend to wait 1-2 months before starting, usually takes about 6-8 weeks to recover from the surgery.

August 12
MyHeartDiseaseTeam

What is cardiac rehabilitation, and how can it help after coronary artery bypass surgery?

Recovering from bypass surgery is a big deal, and cardiac rehab is one of the best tools available to support that recovery. It's a medically supervised program that combines exercise, education, and counseling to help the heart heal Show Full Answer

What is cardiac rehabilitation, and how can it help after coronary artery bypass surgery?

Recovering from bypass surgery is a big deal, and cardiac rehab is one of the best tools available to support that recovery. It's a medically supervised program that combines exercise, education, and counseling to help the heart heal and get stronger.

A doctor's referral is needed to get started, so it's worth bringing it up at the next appointment if it hasn't been discussed yet. Here's what to expect from a cardiac rehab program:

- Medical evaluation to create a personalized plan
- Supervised exercise including walking, cycling, light strength training, and stretching
- Education on heart-healthy eating, medications, and lifestyle changes
- Counseling to help manage stress and other factors that affect heart health
- Dietitian support for reaching and maintaining a healthy weight

Sessions are typically held over several weeks or months, either at a hospital, clinic, or sometimes at home. The benefits of completing cardiac rehab are well-documented and can include:

- Reduced risk of future heart-related complications
- Improved ability to exercise
- Lower stress levels
- Fewer hospital admissions

As one MyHeartDiseaseTeam member shared, *"Rehab will put you on the road to recovery. Keep at it. 👍"*

The more sessions attended, the greater the benefit — so sticking with it really does make a difference!

August 11

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