Rehab exercises

[Waveydavey63]

My cardiologist has said I’m ready to start doing the BHF rehab exercises, but I’m not sure how frequently I’m meant to do them? Should ideally do each level every day for a week before moving up a level? Or should I have one or two rest days?

[Hidden]

Hello

I am no expert but I think they would like you to try doing them everyday

I was told to start with the very easy one's do as much as I could but if I was not feeling comfortable then stop and have a rest and then start again

I was also told to make sure I felt the exercises I was doing say level one eventually would feel easy and when they did then to try the next level

It is not a race we all go at different paces but each day try doing as much as you feel comfortable with x

[RufusScamp]

When I went to rehab classes they were twice a week, and we were advised to do a bit at home once or twice in between. The important thing for us heart patients was to do a thorough warm-up and cool down.Don't force yourself to do too much, and listen to your body.

[Max1019]

The advice given to me was twice a week and a 10 minute walk everyday. Listen to your body and slowly increase things. We all recover at different stages so there’s no competition . Enjoy.

[uzininemm]

Hello, I suppose it may depend where the re hab classes take place.

This was my experience

Mine was at a local gym with use of bike/treadmill/rower etc. In between I was doing daily walks and did some online heart rehab exercises from youtube which were made by the rehab nurses.

What I found was set yourself minor challenges, like I will walk another 50 yards today or do another minute of a exercise video. Don't necessary expect quick results.

I found you can plateau at times (and think that is good as it gets) and then all of a sudden you get a spurt and go on to another level.

As i intended to carry on at the gym after my 8 week session I decided I would join the gym where they worked (local authority gym) and a part of this was the rehab nurses got me a reduction on the fees. Also I asked if they could do me a fitness programme going forward and they have done this, (if you don't ask you don't get).

Add to to that I can still have a word with them, when I go there I have found them invaluable.

8 months on I am still going and enjoying it, I still set myself minor challenges to improve a bit more going forward.

In regards to rest you do have to listen to your body, eat the right things etc. the best regime for me (based on trial and error) tends to be 2 days at the gym (45 min sessions with warm up and warm down inc) with one day off after.

Good luck going forward

[Waveydavey63]

Thanks - brilliant advice!

[StevepH2012]

HiI underwent Aortic Valve and aneurysm fix in July 2020 when rehab classes weren't running due to you know what. The BHF rehab videos had just been issued and, after a telephone 'assessment' I followed those. Initially, when I was nervous/unsure about how hard I should/could exercises I found them very useful (I did a video each lunchtime and a walk each evening at first - about 6 weeks after OHS. After a week or two I was pretty much simply 'listening to my body' to find when to up a level and that would be my main advice - exercise a little bit harder/walk a bit further each week unless it feels as if your body is stressing .

all the best with your recovery

[HeartofLondon]

You need to confirm it with your cardiac rehab team. I was told to do it every day for the rest of my life but I negotiated a lighter regime of every other day for bhf cardiac exercises and yoga or walking on the other days. It mostly goes to plan.

[sampaloc0624]

take frequency as your medical team advises. But, listen to your body, dont push too early, be patient. You will eventually get there! Stay safe!