Adam’s Heart Valve Surgery Blog

Hey everybody,

When it comes to a successful open heart surgery recovery program, cardiac rehab exercise is critical. Although your cardiologist and surgeon may have a cardiac rehab program already lined up for you post-operation, you may want to find your own cardiac rehab center.

“Why do I care so much about helping you find the right cardiac recovery program?”

Well, after my surgery… Neither my surgeon or cardiologist suggested a cardiac rehab exercise program for me. At eight weeks after my open heart surgery, the result of not attending a cardiac rehab center was devastating. My upper chest was a mess. Specifically, my incision area was incredibly sore and my physical confidence was gone.

I think because I was on the younger side of open heart surgery patients (33 years old), my doctors felt I would “snap-back” into shape. That was a faulty assumption in my case. (FYI, I learned a lot about this while doing research for my book. In actuality, only 49% of patients register and attend cardiac rehab programs during their recovery. In my opinion, cardiac rehab exercise is a must for an efficient and healthy recovery from open heart surgery.)

Anyways, my mom and I located a cardiac rehab progam after consulting with a pain management specialist.

Adam At Torrance Memorial Cardiac Rehab Program

Not only will a good cardiac rehab program stimulate your healing, the mental benefits of spending time with other cardiac surgery patients is very inviting, supportive and… FUN! My cardiac rehab center was at Torrance Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles. The cardiac rehab center was a phenomenal facility with very supportive cardiac nurses and over 100, recovering heart patients.

Some of the patients had angioplasty, some patients had heart valve repair and some patients had heart valve replacements. Sharing stories and learning from each other at the cardiac rehab center was a phenomenal experience.

I highly suggest you put “FINDING A CARDIAC REHAB PROGRAM” at the top of your to-do list for your open heart surgery recovery. Let me know if you need any help finding a cardiac rehab center near you.

Keep on tickin,

Adam

Adam Pick is the author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of an actual heart valve surgery patient. This special book was designed to minimize stress and enhance the patient’s recovery. To learn more about Adam’s heart valve surgery book, click here.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 10th, 2007 at 8:53 am and is filed under Heart Valve Surgery, Heart Surgery Recovery, About Adam Pick, Post-Operative Care, Pictures, Studies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Print This Post | EMail This Post.