According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 800,000 people in the
United States experience a heart attack each year; roughly one in four of them having experienced one
previously. Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation (ICR) programs not only help patients regain strength
after a heart attack, but also provide tools and knowledge to reduce the risk of another one. Through
monitored exercise programs, nutrition education, and healthy mindset coaching, cardiac rehab
supports both healing and prevention, paving the way for a stronger, healthier future.
Why Recovery Doesn’t End at the Hospital
The time period following a heart attack is critical. While in-hospital treatment can save a life, it does
not offer the tools and opportunities to help re-strengthen the heart. The areas damaged need time,
care, and specific treatment to heal. This is where cardiac rehab comes in to bridge the gap by helping
patients safely return to normal everyday activities while lowering the risk of another event (Mayo
Clinic).
What Is Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically monitored program designed to improve cardiovascular health
after a heart attack, heart surgery, or other heart condition. Think of it as going in for physical therapy
after an injury, however this therapy is tailored to strengthening and protecting the heart.
ICR is typically structured with targeting three of the most prevalent issues among cardiac patients
today: exercise routine, proper nutrition, and healthy mindset. What sets Intensive Cardiac Rehab
apart from Traditional Cardiac Rehab are the educational classes offered in ICR, whereas the
traditional route typically just consists of monitored exercise.
How Cardiac Rehab Strengthens Your Heart and Your Health
Cardiac rehab uses a mix of cardiovascular and resistance (strength) training to strengthen the heart
muscle. Steady state cardio training reaps many benefits for the heart including improved
cardiovascular function and enhanced blood circulation throughout the body, all the while reducing
the risk of other conditions such as stroke and high blood pressure. Cardiovascular training helps the
heart to become more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body, improving circulation which
allows for more oxygen-rich blood to be delivered to tissue. In addition, utilizing resistance training
improves lipid measures and cardiovascular function, promoting the reduction of heart-related risk
factors.
Preventing a Second Heart Attack
Statistics have proven that the population of patients that have completed their cardiac rehab program
in full are significantly less likely to experience another heart event. With education on and the
introduction of regular exercise, heart healthy eating, and healthy mindset advising, cardiac rehab offers
opportunities for longevity and healthy living to patients that participate.
https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/cardiac-rehabilitation-treatment.html
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8445013/
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/about-heart-attacks
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cardiac-rehabilitation/about/pac-20385192
