Rehabilitation

Whether you're recovering from a heart attack, an angioplasty or heart surgery, a cardiac rehabilitation program can help speed your recovery and reduce the risk and severity of heart disease in the future.

Getting back to normal begins before you go home

Cardiac rehabilitation actually starts while you're still in the hospital with short trips around your room and down the hall.

You can also begin a few cardiac warm-up exercises after you're transferred to the cardiac step-down unit. While you're on bedrest, do these exercises every hour or two.

Do not perform these exercises if you have been told to keep your leg straight.

1. "The Gas Pedal" - Ankle pumps
Lie on your back, bend one knee with your foot flat on the bed or floor. Relax the other leg and gently bend and straighten your ankle. Repeat 10 times. Switch legs.

2. "The Brake" - Heel slides
Lie on your back with legs straight; slide one heel toward your buttocks, bending your knee and hip. Repeat to starting position, and repeat 10 times. Repeat with your other leg.

3. "Windshield Wipers" - Internal and external rotation
With your legs straight, turn your legs from your hips, inward as far as possible. Turn your legs outward as far as possible and repeat 10 times.

• YNHH Health Library: Cardiac Rehabilitation