Cardiac rehabilitation is a program implemented under medical supervision (ECG monitoring, oxygen level measurement, pulse and blood pressure monitoring, etc.) to improve the quality of life of people with heart health problems and to help them return to their daily lives more easily.
A cardiac rehabilitation program aims to limit physical impairment or any damage caused by heart disease, reduce the risk of death, and enable the patient to lead a normal life. This program includes exercise, counseling, social support, education, and information services.
WHICH PATIENTS ARE SUITABLE FOR THIS PROCEDURE? It is applied in many situations such as:
•Patients who have had a heart attack,
• After coronary artery bypass surgery,
• After coronary angioplasty,
• After stent placement,
• Cardiomyopathy,
• Heart failure,
• Presence of hypertension,
• After pacemaker implantation,
• Heart valve diseases, after heart valve replacement,
• Diabetes,
• After heart transplantation.
PERIPHERAL DISEASES
Narrowing and blockages that can develop in the arteries of the legs and feet constitute a significant portion of peripheral artery diseases. In our clinic, balloon angioplasty, drug-eluting balloon angioplasty, stent placement, or surgery (bypass) are successfully applied to the leg arteries in the treatment of these patients. However, the most important and primary treatment method accepted in the treatment of these patients is supervised exercise therapy, and this has been scientifically proven. Therefore, exercise therapy is considered one of the first-line treatment methods for those with blockages in the leg arteries. Consequently, cardiac rehabilitation with supervised exercise is very important not only for patients who have been treated with both angiography and surgery, but also for those with leg artery disease for whom these treatment methods are not applicable or have failed. According to studies, supervised exercise therapy performed at least 3 times a week for 3 months has been observed to increase pain-free walking distance by an average of 100-150 meters or 5 minutes.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
• Maximizes cardiovascular function and capacity.
• Prevents vascular blockages.
• Improves the ability to perform daily living activities.
• Increases psychosocial well-being.
• Regulates blood pressure.
• Reduces body weight and fat stores.
• Increases exercise capacity reduced due to heart disease.
• Reduces bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol.
• Ensures blood sugar remains at normal levels.
• Shortens the return-to-work time after surgery and stent placement.
• Reduces the risk of death after heart attacks or surgeries.
HOW IS IT APPLIED?
· Patients to be included in the cardiac rehabilitation program are carefully evaluated by a cardiologist
• A low-level stress ECG is performed on these patients to determine their cardiac status. Based on the risk assessment, a personalized exercise program is determined by a physical therapist.
• Patients are included in a program that includes aerobic exercises performed at a personalized heart rate, as well as exercises that improve breathing, posture, relaxation, and mild muscle strength.
• Aerobic exercises are performed using highly advanced, computer-controlled exercise equipment developed for this purpose, which monitors the patient's ECG, heart rhythm, blood oxygen levels, and blood pressure.
• These devices can show the patient's progress before and after treatment in great detail.
• Patients generally continue this program for 1-2 months.
• Since the cardiac rehabilitation program is covered by SGK (Social Security Institution) and private health insurance, it does not impose a financial burden on patients.
Cardiac Rehabilitation is a professional team effort consisting of:
• Cardiology Specialist,
• Physical Therapy Specialist,
• Physiotherapist,
• Nurse,
• Psychologist,
• Dietitian,
• Social Worker.