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Cardiac Rehab
I will be starting Outpatient Cardiac Rehab 3 times a week. My Cardiologist thinks this will help my heart muscle. I was just wondering if anyone did this and if it helped. I am hoping that it will get my energy level back up and help my heart muscle. I have Severe Cardiomyopathy, I have had my CRT-D for over a year now. I am also feeling very bloated and my tummy is very tender to touch. I would appreciate any comments. Thanks..
4 Comments
Thanks
by sonya - 2011-09-28 11:09:44
Thank you Gerry for your response. That was very helpful. Do you feel weird sensations in your Heart area and constantly have chest and back discomfort?I live in pain everyday and can't find out why. Thanks.
Rehab...
by golden_snitch - 2011-09-30 03:09:09
Hi!
A friend of mine who has CHF (CRT + ICD) has been going to rehab - a special programme for heart failure patients - twice a week for more than five years now, and she says it has definitely made a great difference. She's much fitter, and everytime she has to skip rehab for just two or three weeks, she immediatly feels worse.
Also, in Germany many heart patients go to (inpatient) rehab after surgery, heart attack, ICD implant or when they have recently been diagnosed with heart failure. It's usually three weeks and paid for by insurance. I have done this three times so far and it has always helped me to recover well. Last but not least, after this inpatient rehab quite a lot of patients continue with out-patient rehab once or twice a week (insurance pays up to 90 sessions in 18 months, you need a prescription for that).
So, it's definitely worth a try, I'd say. I hope rehab will make you and your heart stronger.
Best wishes
Inga
Cardiac Rehab
by donb - 2011-10-01 09:10:34
Hi Sonya, As you listed you are in nursing I would highly suggest you check on the services offered by your nearest hospitals. As being a PM patient for many years and also having some heart blockage with a stent I have been in the Cardiac Rehab program in the past. My nurse Wife also has multiple stents and she also went through the program.
Generally your insurance covers the initial program. I have been going to the Phase 3 advanced program which is very economical. You do not wear a monitor in this phase but a ECG strip & blood pressure is done before each session. We then have a full gymnasium which is shared with Physical Therapy and our Cardiac Rehab.
The benefits are really evident observing other Cardiac
patients improving. In my case I didn't really get my full benefit from my PMs' prior to my heart stent. Now at age almost 80 I can only appreciate my overall physical condition by following my Rehab, their diet and staying active. Ya, who am I to tell a nurse about rehab as the wife would tell me!!! Don
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Comment
by gerry - 2011-09-28 09:09:49
hi Sonya. I have dilated cardiomyopathy, ef at 22% and a crt-d for 6 years. I was in a blinded study that was revealed just recently. I was at an appointment last week where the icd technician adjusted the pacing mechanism to increase the heart output I believe; I was not very clear about what exactly she did, but it has improved my fatigue levels. Also, please watch any fluid build up in your upper body. Some people, myself included, carry the fluid build up, not in their ankles as the majority do, but in their upper body. I had flash pulmonary edema in the summer of 09 and there was never any excess in my ankles, but in pictures you can see I was bloated in my face and upper body. Talk to your dr right away your diuretic levels! They may need to be increased. I hope all goes well for you! Wish I could be of more help.
Take care.
Gerry