Can you exercise after heart valve replacement? This is the question a lot of heart disease patients ask after undergoing heart surgery.

In many cases, memories of the fear, chest pain, shortness of breath, and panic that is associated with a heart attack are enough to make people reluctant to undertake any form of physical activity.

However, far from causing a relapse of the heart disease symptoms, a regular exercise program and healthy lifestyle may be the key to preventing future heart attacks and improving the general well-being of the patient.

Of course, blindly embarking on a home exercise program without seeking the advice of an exercise specialist, even after undergoing minimally invasive surgery is ill-advised. The risk of worsening the situation by doing too much too quickly is great.

That is why patients recovering from heart valve surgery should visit CardiacKrock.com. Here, you will find great advice on how to structure a safe and effective cardiac rehab program that will have you on the road to a full recovery.

What Is Open Heart Surgery?

Open heart surgery is a broad term used to describe a wide range of procedures that are done on patients exhibiting serious symptoms of heart disease, such as:

• Chest pain, pressure, or discomfort (angina)
• Shortness of breath
• Pain, weakness, or numbness in the jaw, upper belly, neck, throat, legs, or arms
• Eventual heart failure

This type of surgery is done to re-establish proper blood pressure and blood flow either to prevent or treat a heart attack.

There are different types of heart surgery, such as valve surgery or bypass surgery. During normal, routine cardiac surgery, a chest incision is made to allow access to the targeted parts of the heart.

Recovering from Heart Valve Surgery

The recovery period depends on many factors, such as the intrusiveness of the surgery, and the age or general health of the patient. Full recovery in most cases is expected to take from six to eight weeks, with only some residual chest pain persisting after that.

While it is common for most people who have undergone heart valve surgery to be discharged from the hospital after only a few days, cardiac rehabilitation under medical advice from a heart surgeon or exercise physiologist is essential.

How Soon Can You Start an Exercise Program?

The stress that most of the major muscle groups of the heart undergo during a heart attack or the resulting heart valve surgery means that bed rest, and lots of it, is the order of the day for the first week or so after the procedures.

However, during the times when you are not in bed, some low-level exercises are recommended. You can start exercising even while still in the hospital during your inpatient recovery phase.

This can include mild exercises, such as slowly walking around, which you can gradually increase as the body responds better to movements.

A Good Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Is Important

Having the support of an experienced cardiac rehab team, such as Cardiac Crock LLC, will greatly increase the chances of achieving a quick and risk-free recovery.

Cardiac rehab usually starts with a visit from an exercise specialist who will help you get back on your feet, usually by starting with a gentle walking program which will gradually be combined with some strength and resistance training.

During this time, it is important to make sure your blood pressure does not go higher than what your heart can handle, so resuming normal activities or an active lifestyle is not recommended until much later in the cardiac rehab exercise strategy.

Great care should be taken during the first few weeks when doing any of the following activities which have the potential to result in high blood pressure:

• Overhead lifting of heavy objects
• Climbing stairs
• Constant lifting while doing household chores
• Sexual activity
• Driving
• Long-distance traveling, especially by plane
• Returning to work

Start With an Aerobic Exercise Program

Aerobic exercise after heart valve replacement surgery is usually the first step taken by recovering patients.

This type of exercise targets the lower body and can be performed in a rhythmic way for an extended period. It is the most recommended exercise after open heart surgery.

Typical aerobic exercises include:

• Walking
• Cycling (either on a bike outdoors or in the house using a stationary bike)
• Swimming, which is great for targeting multiple muscles at the same time

Precautions To Take With Aerobic Exercises

During aerobic exercise after heart surgery, it is important to pay attention to how your body feels and your heart rate response. Stop exercising if you feel tired or have any hint of lightheadedness.

The following are some important precautions you need to take:

• Consider the effects of medications, such as beta-blockers that affect your heart rate response to exercise
• Some dietary supplements may interact with the medications you are taking, so you need to consult a dietitian before taking supplements for exercising
• Do not overdo it and progress slowly
• Look out for environmental stressors
• Consider exercising in a health club rather than at home

Try Strength Training

Also known as resistance training, strength training is when you lift weights to increase the overall strength of your muscles.

The bed rest that is required following symptoms of heart disease often leads to muscle atrophy and weight loss which can be countered by lifting weights.

Types of strength training include:

• Lifting free weights
• Using resistance machines
• Working with resistance bands or tubing

Strength Training Precautions

With strength training, you need to monitor how heavy the weights you are using are and your breathing. Try by all means to target all muscle groups. The following are some other important precautions:

• Strengthen your muscles only two or three days a week
• Do not train for more than 20 to 30 minutes each day
• Seek the advice and physical clearance of a doctor before starting

Final Takeaway

Considering that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in America, a healthy diet and active lifestyle are the least you should be doing to protect yourself, especially if you exhibit any of the risk factors such as obesity and a family history of heart failure.

However, if you do suffer from a heart attack, a properly structured cardiac rehab program is the best way to get you back on your feet. Visit CardiacKrock.com right now and speak to an experienced physical therapist.