Have you ever wondered what happens after you have a heart attack or open heart surgery? Usually, after a stay in the hospital, you can’t just go back to normal. Recovery requires a specialized medical team and a strict regimen to keep you healthy.
A cardiac rehabilitation specialist will likely be on your care team if you require ongoing care. So, how can a cardiac rehab specialist help you? Read on to learn more.
What is a Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist?
If you have a major cardiac event, such as a heart attack, you may need to work with a cardiac rehabilitation specialist. This type of doctor helps you physically and mentally recover from a life-altering event.
Most importantly, a cardiac rehabilitation specialist will help you to develop a better lifestyle and prevent problems in the future.
Lifestyle Education
When it comes to cardiac health, the best defense is a good offense. A cardiac rehab specialist helps you take an active role in your lifestyle and overall well-being.
Make sure to continually evaluate these factors to determine what works best for your body.
Diet
Your cardiac rehab specialist will work with you to determine how you can change your diet to aid in your overall health. Just because you need to focus on healthier eating habits doesn’t mean completely cutting out foods you love.
For instance, one of the most popular diets to follow for heart health is the Mediterranean diet. This involves consuming more healthy fats, fish, and plant-based alternatives.
Exercise
Your medical team may also recommend an exercise regimen to keep your heart in good shape. However, you may need cardiac and pulmonary rehab before engaging in high-intensity cardiac activities.
Ask your cardiac rehab specialist for a plan tailored to your needs. Stay in communication with your care team about how exercise makes you feel and they will determine if they need to make adjustments.
Be on the lookout for symptoms that indicate heart issues. For instance, there is a correlation between swelling of legs and heart failure.
Mental Health
Mental health is just as important as physical health when it comes to recovery. It may be a good idea to work with a therapist and reduce stress and other emotional factors in your life.
Mitigation of Risks
The biggest responsibility of your cardiopulmonary rehab specialist is the prevention and mitigation of risks. The more wear and tear on your heart, even through outpatient heart procedures, the weaker it will become.
Some things to look out for include high cholesterol, blood pressure control, risk of diabetes, and response to current medications.
Keep Your Heart Healthy With a Cardiac Rehab Specialist
You shouldn’t have to live in fear of your next cardiac event. With the help of a cardiac rehabilitation specialist, you can rest easy knowing you have a great level of care.
Do you want to learn more about how to stay involved in your health and well-being? Take a look around our blog for more advice and inspiration.
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