Cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a specialized treatment utilized as a tool for various exercises. It complements treatment of patients suffering of some type of cardiovascular problems, including those who have undergone catheterization or surgery. As a complement it adds very important benefits such as:

• Biological aspects: increases tolerance to stress, improves life prognosis, reduces relapses, delays the evolution of the illness and in some cases it may influence regression.

• Social aspects: favors reintegration to productive activities, reduces costs for hospitalization and medicines, improves family interaction, etc.

• Psychological aspects: decreases anxiety and depression and dependency on tobacco, and increases quality of life.

Cardiac rehabilitation is based on an integral assessment of the patient to determine a training program tailored to his/her needs. This treatment takes into account tolerance to stress as well as risks of complications during exercise. Emphasis of the training is placed on moderate aerobic-type exercises, which are also based on the preference and physical condition of the patient.

During the program the patient is supervised by qualified staff who apply adequate techniques and can identify possible complications. The “intensive phase” has to be closely monitored but later the patient can continue the treatment under periodic supervision only.

The “intensive training” can take from 4 to 20 weeks depending on the patient.

The patients that can benefit from a cardiac rehabilitation program are those with the following diagnoses:

- Ischemic cardiopathy

   o Recent myocardial infarct (less than one month)

   o Myocardial infarct (more than one month)

   o Angina (chest pain caused by blocked heart arteries)

- Heart failure

- Post-bypass surgery

- Post placement of pace maker or cardio-defibrillator

- Post surgery of changes of one or more heart valves

- Patients with light to moderate pulmonary hypertension

- Patients suffering from obesity

- Patients with high long term cardiovascular risk, such as diabetes, chronic kidney failure

- Patients with peripheral arterial problems

There are very few side effects for this rehabilitation program such as:

   o Dissecting aneurysm of the aorta (clots in the aorta walls)

   o Serious obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract

   o Functional Class IV (constant lack of air, even at rest)

In addition to physical therapy, cardiac rehabilitation also includes changes in lifestyle such as quitting smoking, correct use of medicines, etc.

Benefits are noticeable after the first week,

We invite you to take advantage of this program, you will not regret it.