Cardiac Rehabilitation Guidelines

Cardiac rehabilitation guidelines involve the guidelines for care that is given for patients who have suffered from a heart attack, undergone heart surgery or angina or any other heart problems. The rehabilitation process starts when the patient becomes medically stable. In most of the cases, the family members of the patients are involved. They are given counseling and various guidelines for taking care of the patients that will reduce the risk of having a heart ailment in the future. The cardiac rehabilitation service also ensures that the patient recovers faster to live a normal life.

Some of the guidelines that a patient should follow during the cardiac rehabilitation program are as follows:

• A patient is advised to take bed rest for a few days; this may vary from one person to another.
• During the program, the dietitians make a diet chart that the patient has to follow very strictly. The patients are usually asked to have food with mimimum spices, oil and are asked to have foods that are low on table salt.
• Chewing tobacco and smoking is strictly prohibited for these patients.
• After the Phase 1, the patient has to start specific exercises advised by the physician and that also in a precise quantity. Take care never to overdo any exercises, as it can lead to severe effects. Gradually, the doctors increase the stress level of the exercises in order to improve the ability of the heart to bear the stress.
• The patient is not allowed to take any kind of mental stress. As the heart is not in a good condition, little stress can also cause a secondary heart attack, which may prove fatal.
• The blood sugar level and blood pressure of the patients are closely monitored. The doctors ensure that these are kept in control in order to facilitate a speedy recovery
• Patient is not allowed the alcohol intake throughout his rehabilitation process and even in most cases for at least 3 months after the rehabilitation.
• The cardiac victim should avoid driving for 6 months after he has had a heart attack.
• No stressful activity like pulling, pushing or playing is advisable for the heart patient as it can put severe pressure on the heart in a very short duration.
• It is advised that patient should avoid the noisy places especially where loud music is played e.g. disco, pub, theater.
• Patients are also asked to join some meditation programs, or other programs that help them in stress management.

Above mentioned are some helpful guidelines, which are suggested by the physician to the patient. When you select a cardiac rehab center, do ensure that you get treatment from trained professionals. Similar to the guidelines for patients there are guidelines for professionals as well, in a publication titled BACR Guidelines for Cardiac Rehabilitation. Hope these Cardiac Rehabilitation Guidelines provide you with the necessary information.