Supervised recovery for heart patients
Cardiac rehabilitation is a personalised, supervised programme that combines exercise with education. It is for people managing coronary heart disease or angina, recovering from a heart attack or surgery, or who have had a stent placed.
The programme helps you regain strength, prevent further deterioration and reduce the risk of future heart events. You learn what is safe, how hard to exercise, and how to manage the lifestyle factors that matter. It sits alongside the care your cardiologist provides.
Who needs cardiac rehabilitation
Heart conditions
- Heart attack
- Coronary artery bypass surgery
- Angioplasty and stent
- Heart failure
- Heart valve replacement
- Stable angina
- Pacemaker
Higher risk of heart disease
- Family history
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
Other vascular conditions
- Stroke
- Peripheral vascular disease
What happens during the programme
Assessment
Medical and family history to identify risk factors, a resting ECG, height, weight, waist and body fat, and a cardiopulmonary exercise assessment on a treadmill, bike or monitored walk.
Monitored exercise
Portable heart monitoring sends your ECG to a monitoring station so you exercise at a level that is effective and safe.
Lifestyle plan
Nutrition guidance, stress-reduction techniques and counselling sessions.
Review
Regular review of your progress and the plan, and advice on continuing at home.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to do before exercise class?
Dress in loose-fitting clothes and shoes with good support. Avoid smoking or caffeinated drinks for two hours before class so your heart rate is not raised. Eat a meal 1 to 2 hours before exercising, and take all medicines as your doctors directed.
What kind of exercises will I be doing?
Aerobic exercise that uses the large muscle groups of your arms and legs to build endurance and strength. This may include treadmills, bicycles, free weights or stretching bands, and it is customised to suit you.
I'm exercising at home. Why should I come to cardiac rehab?
At cardiac rehab you are monitored with an ECG while you exercise, so staff can watch your heart rate and rhythm. Your blood pressure and exercise workload are tracked too, and any concern about your response to exercise or medicines is passed on to your doctors.
How long will I have to attend cardiac rehab?
Most people attend 3 times a week for 6 to 12 weeks, depending on progress. For lasting benefit, it is recommended to keep exercising for life.
Is cardiac rehabilitation safe after a heart attack or surgery?
Supervised, monitored exercise is a standard part of recovery. Always follow your cardiologist's advice about when to begin.
Where can I find cardiac physiotherapy near Santacruz?
Our clinic is on Linking Road in Santacruz West, accessible from Vile Parle, Bandra, Khar and Kalina.