When talking with patients and caregivers about heart surgery recovery, I can never say enough about cardiac rehabilitation programs. I hear from patients over-and-over-and-over-and-over again about how valuable cardiac rehabilitation programs are for their physical, social and mental well-being after heart surgery.

Here’s a quick note I just received from Charles Harrall, an active 65-year old businessman from Nevada, about cardiac rehab, goal setting and medication management. Charles writes:

Hi Adam,

I am one year past my aortic valve replacement ^[1], mitral valve repair and a triple bypass.

Patient At Cardiac Rehabilitation – On Treadmill

I took your advice to heart (pun intended) and I went to cardiac rehab… 57 times!!! I think I am doing great now because I had my goals and achieved them.

When I came home from the hospital I was taking 9 medications. Plus, I was on oxygen. Now, I am down to 3 medications with dosages that are 50% less than they were. I am 65 and very fortunate that I had a great doctors and excellent care. I also realized doctors can only help people who are willing to help themselves.

Your heart valve surgery book ^[2] helped me take charge of my health and have successful results.

God Bless!

Charles Harrall