Firstly many thanks for letting me join the forum.
I had a quad bypass done at Papworth on 3rd March and discharged the following Monday. Yesterday I contacted my local rehab team to be told due to the Corona virus there will be no rehab sessions anytime soon. I feel a little down because of this though I do understand why and it is what it is. It would be a great help if those of you that have done the Rehab, could pass on any information on the types of exercises used.
There is a BHF exercise plan on dvd that the rehab team provide- I wonder if you can get hold of a copy of that to start gentle exercise. There’s about 4 stages on it- so starts off quite gentle.
The exercises on the Cardio Rehab course that I attended were fairly straightforward, circuit training stuff, ie 60 seconds of exercise then move to the next station and start afresh. Exercises included press ups inclined against a wall, squats, bicep curls (using very light dumbbells of 1-2Kg), speed walking back and forth along the length of the room, etc, etc.
It all sounds very simple, but I'd caution against undertaking this by yourself. Two reasons why I say this. Firstly on the proper Rehab Course you're constantly monitored by experienced cardiac nurses, they're checking your pulse and blood pressure and know if you're overdoing things. Secondly, they are very disciplined about extensive warm ups and cool down periods. One of the key lessons I learnt is that heart patients need especially long warm up periods in order to get the small and large arteries fully dilated and ready for exercise.
However, it's also worth remembering that you're just a few weeks post your operation, so right now what you need to be really focussed on is your breathing and walking exercises. The lungs take a terrible battering during open heart surgery, and reflating those myriad pockets of micro lung collapse is a big job, requiring slowly building up your walking as well as completing your breathing exercises every single day.
It's a long road, but the final destination makes it all well worth it. I'm now nearly a year and a half past my bypass and I genuinely feel twenty years younger, full of the vitality that I thought was gone for good. So, stick with it and the very best of luck!
Great encouraging post. I'm 3 years past my HA but I'm encouraged now 🙏
Hi, I am about 4 months post triple bypass - how long did it take you to feel 'twenty years younger'? 
About a year.
After completing Cardio Rehab I joined a gym and concentrated on losing two stones of excess weight. I'd stopped smoking many years ago, but I'd become addicted to nicotine lozenges, so those went. And I moved to a Mediterranean diet.
I was lucky in that I have a very enlightened GP who explored what was the root cause of my atherosclerosis, after a number of blood tests he suggested it was probably insulin resistance. Consequently weight loss, diet, and exercise have been key in reversing insulin resistance, and I'm now well within the safe zone.
If I hadn't had a bypass none of this would have happened, which is why I'm convinced that it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Sure didn't feel like that at theme, nor for a few months after, but it opened the door to a much healthier lifestyle which within a year had yielded amazing dividends in terms of vitality, energy, and fitness.
Good luck!
Outlander63 - congrats on your quad! I had a triple last July and found the rehab really helpful. In light of Coronavirus, you can still get the benefits by doing the recommended exercises at home. Perhaps you could team up with other 'hearties' via online social media to do the exercises together? I'm sure the BHF could guide you to someone who can help. The BHF has useful info online here: bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo.... This leaflet has all the recommended exercises: ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/le...
It would be very useful to have a finger Pulse Oximeter (like the ones used by the medical staff in hospital) or a wrist device like a Fitbit so you can monitor your heart rate. It takes more self-control to do the exercises on your own but the effort is well worth putting in. Good luck and best wishes.
Hang tight no major rehab for six weeks after op. Follow all advice on BHF site. Slowly best option. Good luck and be positive going forward
I did my rehab with the Papworth team this time last year and they are a great bunch of people. I’m sure that even though they are not able to run the face to face classes, they will be planning some sort of alternative. They will need to assess your fitness level before you start the exercises so I would definitely wait for their call before embarking on anything. If you’ve heard nothing in the next few weeks, I would give them a call. Good luck with your recovery
Did any of you guys who went to Papworth meet a cardiac nurse called Mel? She one of my best mates, bit sadly don't see her so much now.
Eyup, my rehab was cancelled too but they did a phone consultation for me and said I could phone if I ever had any questions. I had my op on 18th Feb and then over did it so have put myself back a couple of weeks. If you've got a number for the team I'd recommend giving them a call and ask foe some advice. If your op was on the 3rd I'd say keep on with the light walking and nothing heavier that half a kettle of water for a few more weeks. Wish I'd taken that advice...
You can find the exercises on YouTube,
You would not be starting rehab for at least 6 weeks so don't worry about it yet. My husband had CABG +end of January and only allowed to start rehab this week. The advice he has been given is to first walk, not uphill to start with and not too fast, on the level and a little more each day. The Heart Foundation has exercises on their Web site you can do and when you should do them. Good luck and remember not too much too soon. Told if you push yourself too soon you slow the healing process. Also no cutting lawns or vacuuming. Good luck and thank your lucky stars you got the op before all this kicked off, we are.
Hi welcome to the forum. But do have a number you can ring to speak to a nurse if you are worried about your rehab. NHS have gentle exercises for (elder) you to do. There are 4 different types. They might help you out. I have been doing them, I'm not elderly. Keep safe.
If you were relatively fit prior to surgery you can regain fitness on your own by walking and other exercise. I had my aortic valve replaced at 79.
It was about four months before I went to rehab as Fluoroquinolones they gave me for a prostate infection prior to surgery caused tendonitis and I had to have physio for that first.
I don't how many classes are the same but mine was mainly fat middle aged ladies who had stents fitted and had never walked a mile in their lives. Half an hour of exercise and half an hour of lecture on why it had happened and how to live a better life.
There is no need to be rude! I was /am a fat 65 year old who had two heart attacks last summer and needed a stent. I did the cardiac rehab and surprised the staff with my ability to exercise. I did have a hectic life , I don't drive so use my legs to get around , I was also a very busy mum of three and a full time nurse. People who make nasty comments should think first!
I did say who had never walked a mile in their lives. I know how much nurses walk at work as my wife was one.
you are supposed to be kind not judgmental on this site. I feel sorry for you
My fiancé had his x3 bypass on the 27th Jan and was due to start rehab last week, his has all been cancelled too (understandably given the situation.) His cardio consultant appointment has also been cancelled so he hasn’t had any kind of physical check up post op.
He was emailed some basic exercise sheets - arm lifts with tins of beans etc and just told to walk (within social distancing rules) and to do step ups on bottom stair etc.
As I said though he’s a few weeks further on then you in recovery.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
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