Heart Hugger Blog

If you have just experienced cardiac or thoracic surgery, or you have a surgery scheduled in the near future, then you probably would like to know all you can about cardiac surgery rehabilitation. Depending on the nature of the surgery and what needed to be done, the recovery time for the patient will vary. One thing that typically remains constant in an open heart surgery is the importance placed on the recovery of the wound or sternal closure. Sternal wound dehiscence is something that needs to be avoided at all costs for those recovering from cardiac surgery.

Exercise is not always easy and it's not always fun, but it's good for us, so we try to do it. However, exercise after cardiac surgery is an entirely different challenge and an extremely worthy challenge at that. Every movement must be carefully considered, every breath mindfully taken. What once felt like simple actions now require patience, dedication, and proper support.

But with each small step forward in cardiac rehabilitation, you can move closer to regaining their strength and independence. Here's a peek at the world of cardiac post-op exercise, where even the smallest victories represent major milestones in recovery.

The road to recovery following cardiac surgery can feel long and daunting. However, maintaining an optimal diet will provide the essential nutrients needed for healing. What you eat makes a major impact on your rehabilitation journey. Follow these dietary guidelines to fuel your body through mending after heart procedures.

If you are struggling with heart health or are recommended post-surgery for cardiac rehabilitation, also known as cardiac rehab, you want to pay attention. This is a heart health program provided by medical professionals that is used to improve your overall cardiac response and recovery rates. If you have had a heart attack, heart surgery, or suffer from heart disease, the use of cardiac rehab can also reduce symptoms associated with cardiac-related illnesses and conditions.

When it comes to cardiac rehab, it's important for patients to have all the facts--not just because this is a crucial part of the healing process after cardiac surgery, but because patients who have heard certain myths will be more likely to skip rehab. Here are three popular myths and the truth behind them.

Cardiac rehabilitation is an intricate and lengthy process, but it becomes even more delicate with the added complication of diabetes. Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of having a rough time during cardiac rehab, and may even develop surgical site infections that send them back to the hospital. This is a big problem--but luckily, there is an easy, painless answer.

At its simplest, the goal of medical science is to understand the complex workings of the human body and keep everything running smoothly. The same is true for cardiac rehab. Like the body itself, cardiac rehab is intricate, and it has many overlapping parts and moving pieces--but it is a crucial step in the healing journey after heart surgery.