Cardiac Rehab

Anyone gone to cardiac rehab after a pacer was put in? My doctor is recommending it but we don't know if my insurance will pay for it because I don't have angina. He's suggesting it because I was hospitalized for 2 weeks and have very low blood pressure. I worked out 3-4 times a week before I got suddenly ill. I'm just wondering what to expect and if others have done it.

thanks,
Sherian

2 Comments

Rehab

by donb - 2010-02-27 09:02:02

has been really great for me. Just went back looking over your postings and probably I haven't posted because your past history is tooooo similar to mine. Since 1992 I'm on my 4th PM and it's been a good ride. I did have shoulder rotor cuff surgery about 5 years ago and had Rehab for that. During that time I started with chest pain which I never experienced before.
I had a stress test done and pictures showed problem area in heart wall. Now they did a cardiac cath and found 95% blockage in my right cardiac artery resulting in a stent implant. This was a complete turn around again for me as I felt being tired was my normal aging. Wrong!!

Soon after my stent implant I was urged to go through Cardiac rehab at our local hospital which I did. Couldn't
believe the get up & go at age72. I still have regular stress tests every other year, just had one, and another cath a week ago, not much build up of blockage.

I'm still participating in Phase 3 Rehab, doing great. I meant mention also I also have regular bloodwork done and am on Plavix & baby aspirin. MY total Chl is between 116 -140. Triglycerites real low and take Lipitor also. I am carefull with diet as the Rehab program really pushes that. Our hopital Therapy-Rehab Gym is large, lots of equipment and it costs me $42.00/month. They do ECG strip & blood pressure each time before exercise and keep complete records of all my tests, and all vitals during exercise. Great program for an old 78 year old competing with others of all ages.
If your cardiologist recommends it chances are your insurance will cover your Phase 1. After that you're on your own. donb

Rehab

by Jack - 2010-02-27 10:02:22

I, too, went to a clinic in the hospital after my PM implant and feel it was worth the time (2 hrs. twice a week). They found I needed Potassium and Magnesium by doing heart specific blood tests. My EF had fallen to 35 and they monitored it and made recommendation to my Cardio. Now my EF is 55 and things are well so I do believe the Rehab is a good thing IF they are trained in cardiac care.

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