| After a cardiac surgery it is but natural to feel | | | | permitted to do that, however, they are |
| tired and in pain. Yet, beginning physiotherapy | | | | instructed on various exercises, for warming up |
| immediately after the surgery rather than allowing | | | | and stretching, and taught when it is ideal for |
| oneself a period of rest seems incredulous. But | | | | them to stop. Unless they are acing severe |
| that is exactly what the doctor's order are. | | | | complications, they are advised to exercise a |
| A cardiac surgery can include one or more of | | | | minimum of three and a maximum of five times |
| several different procedures - bypass surgeries, | | | | a week. |
| placing stents, angioplasty, replacements of valves | | | | After cardiac surgery, swimming is also advisable. |
| - or even a complete heart transplant. Cardiac | | | | As a cardiovascular exercise it is effective |
| patients can derive several benefits from | | | | without straining a patients joints, and can be |
| physiotherapy, both after surgery and to alleviate | | | | continued for longer durations. The one thing that |
| symptoms of cardiac diseases like chest pains, | | | | must be kept in mind before commencing |
| cardiomyopathy, artery diseases, heart failures or | | | | swimmingis that all open wounds on the body |
| cardiac arrests. | | | | must have healed completely. |
| About a fortnight after you have the surgery, the | | | | Physiotherapy staff are not always required to |
| physiotherapy program commences. Initially, a | | | | instruct a patient on exercises. Hospital staff are |
| stress test is administered to determine the | | | | also trained to rehabilitate cardiac surgery patients. |
| person's capacity for exercise. Generally, these | | | | The principles of therapy remain the same and |
| tests include using the treadmill or a stationary | | | | physiotherapy staff can be involved if so required. |
| bike while the doctor or nurse keeps a track of | | | | The physiotherapist sketches out the routine for |
| the person's vital signs. | | | | physical therapy. In the first 6 weeks after |
| This tracked data is collated and analyzed. Based | | | | surgery, few activities are allowed, including, but |
| on the results, a routine for physiotherapy is | | | | not limited to light housework and occasional |
| determined. The initial sessions are often | | | | excursions to movie theatres. On till the third |
| conducted under the vigilance of hospital staff to | | | | month after surgery, other activities are included |
| ensure the medical safety of the patient. | | | | in the person's routine. It is possible for a patient |
| Cardiac patients perform their initial exercises in | | | | to return to full-time or part-time work, and begin |
| the presence of horses and their physiotherapist. | | | | driving again. After the third month, gradually all |
| In case there is any discomfort to the patient | | | | normal activities can be resumed. |
| while performing these exercises the medical | | | | Without physiotherapy, a patient will remain weak, |
| personnel can immediately take over and manage | | | | and may even grow weaker. Physiotherapy is a |
| the situation. Thee exercises involve similar | | | | routine that allows a person to go back to their |
| cardiovascular exercises as the first test session, | | | | original lifestyle as early as is possible. With the |
| like walking the treadmill and stationary cycling. | | | | correct exercises, a patient will become healthier |
| Once this initial monitored phase passes, cardiac | | | | than they were before they underwent cardiac |
| patients can continue their exercise sin the | | | | surgery. |
| privacy of their homes. Before they are | | | | |