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Cardiac Rehabilitation Program - Patient Recovery Tip!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: May 15, 2025

When it comes to a successful open heart surgery recovery program, cardiac rehab exercise is critical. Although your cardiologist and heart surgeon may have a cardiac rehab program already lined up for you post-operation, you may need to find your own cardiac rehab center. (To learn more, please see "Cardiologist Insights: The Importance of Cardiac Rehab")

"Why does Adam care so much about helping me find the right cardiac recovery program?" you may be asking yourself.

Well, after my surgery... Neither my surgeon or cardiologist suggested a cardiac rehab exercise program for me. 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 misconception 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 program after consulting with a pain management specialist.

Heart surgery patient at cardiac rehab class

Me (Adam) at 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! Also, there several reports that cardiac rehab may help reduce the chances of cardiac depression after surgery.

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 BEFORE your open heart surgery recovery. Let me know if you need any help finding a cardiac rehab center near you.

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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