Cardiac Rehab (staff perspective)
Hi there,
I work in cardiac rehabilitation as an exercise physiologist. There are many benefits that come with cardiac rehab, though it can be hard to see at first. Coming off a heart procedure or cardiac event, your cardiovascular system is in a fragile state. Rushing back into high intensity exercise can actually be more detrimental to you than beneficial. Everybody has what’s called an ejection fraction. Which essentially is how efficient your heart is pumping out blood throughout the body (ask your cardiologist about this and they can talk to you more about yours personally). Generally, the healthy population is that roughly about 55 to 70%. Most cardiac patients typically fall below that line. The goal of cardiac rehabilitation is to increase that ejection fraction. This will lead to the capability of exercising at higher intensities. You can do this by exerting yourself during exercise and building a consistent exercise routine. I get it. It can be frustrating coming into a program and starting off very light. The staff is trying to see where your heart rate can get to before dyspnea or over exertion. Building a consistent exercise routine and dietary plan, your heart health will continue to improve. I’ve had the pleasure of working with many individuals. The biggest piece of advice I can give to anybody starting cardiac rehabilitation is it’s all about what you put into it. If you come into the program and do just enough to get by, you’re not going to get nearly the benefits you would as if you come in and take it seriously. I wish everyone the best that is coming into the program or is planning on doing so. It will all be worth it in the end you will be in good hands.🙌❤️🩹
If you have any questions for me, I’d be happy to answer below!