Cardiac Rehabilitation Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How effective is cardiac rehabilitation?
A: A large
body of research supports that a medically supervised exercise and
education program reduces the chance of a second heart attack and
improves survival and overall well-being.
Q: Is your program simply an exercise class?
A: Exercise
is a big part of the program, but is only one component. Each
class consists of a warm-up and cool-down stretching session, cardiovascular
conditioning and an education session on a heart-related.
Q: Is the exercise like an aerobics workout?
Will I be able to keep up with it?
A: Each patient is evaluated
at the beginning of the program to determine a safe level of exercise
tolerance. Based on this, an individualized exercise program will be
prescribed. As your conditioning improves, the amount of exercise will
progressively increase.
Q: Do I have to attend every session?
A: Yes. To
gain the most benefit from this program, it is crucial to attend
all sessions. The
program consists of three one-hour sessions per week for 6 – 32 weeks.
We offer a range of class times, with a flexible schedule to suit
the needs of those heading back to work.
Q: What type of patient population do you
accept?
A: Most of our patients
have had a recent cardiac event or procedure. Individuals
at high risk for heart disease, such as those with a strong family
history and other documented risk factors may also benefit. Patients with congestive
heart failure especially demonstrate good outcomes.
Q: What is the waiting time for referred
patients to be seen?
A: New patients are started in our program
every day. Most
referrals are evaluated within 1-2 weeks.
Q: Will my doctor be notified of my progress?
A: Absolutely. Close
contact with a patient’s referring
physician is crucial to long-term success of this program.
Q: When can I resume my ordinary physical
activities after a heart attack or heart surgery?
A: You should
be carefully evaluated by your physician prior to resuming certain
activities such as jogging, swimming, gardening, etc.
Q: Does extreme climate affect my exercise capacity?
A: It is
a good idea to minimize your activity during hot, humid as well as very
cold conditions. Shopping malls are a good place to walk if you do not
have access to an indoor exercise facility.
Q: Can anxiety affect your heart?
A: Persistently
high levels of stress can contribute to heart disease. Increased
stress and anxiety can raise your heart rate and blood pressure,
placing extra workload on your cardiovascular system. Over time, this can
cause thickening of the walls of arteries (atherosclerosis) and heart (cardiac
hypertrophy). These changes increase the risk of heart attack, stroke,
and sudden death.
Q: How can I reduce my stress level?
A: The first step is to understand
your body’s response to
stressful situations and identify the source of stress. Then you
can explore ways to avoid these situations if possible or gain control
over your response to them. At St Agnes we offer a special program
designed to promote stress management.
Q: Should I avoid all fat in my diet?
A: Some
fat is essential to good health. Liquid vegetable oils are important
and should be taken in moderation. You should avoid animal fat. By
participating in the cardiac rehabilitation program at St Agnes you will
have individual diet instruction with our registered dietitian.
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