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Are "Do It Yourself" Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs Available?

By Adam Pick on August 31, 2007

I must admit. Entering Torrance Memorial Cardiac Rehab Program was the turning point in my recovery from aortic and pulmonary heart valve replacements (known as the Ross Procedure). That said, I am a big, huge, tremendous fan of finding a good cardiac rehabilitation program following open heart surgery.

"Why?" you are wondering.

Heart surgery patient on stationary bike at cardiac rehab class

Adam Pick At Torrance Memorial Hospital
Cardiac Rehab Program (California)

Well... As I write in my book, there are a number of critical physical and mental reasons that patients benefit from an interactive environment to re-stimulate their minds and bodies after cardiac surgery. That said, I have been asked about Do It Yourself Cardiac Rehab Programs. These programs are designed to help patients progress through cardiac surgery recovery on their own, typically at their homes. Cardiac rehab manuals and videos can be part of a do it yourself cardiac rehab program.

I understand the purpose of do it yourself cardiac rehab programs, especially for patients who are unable to travel to cardiac rehab centers. It makes sense that a do it yourself cardiac program would be developed to help patients recover at home. However, my opinion is that if you can make it to a local cardiac rehab program once, twice or three times a week, YOUR RECOVERY WILL BE GREATLY ADVANCED!

Consider what Dr. Robert J. Matthews, a cardiologist in Los Angeles, says about the benefits of attending a cadiac rehab center versus a do it yourself cardiac rehab program:

"Although cardiac rehabilitation programs are usually thought of as primarily exercise programs, they also offer psychological benefits that tend to help resolve transient depression. With many social medical conditions, other patients who have been through the experience can provide meaningful psychological support."

I agree with Dr. Matthews whole-heartedly (pun intended).

Keep on tickin!
Adam

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Written by Adam Pick
Patient & Website Founder

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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