After you have a heart attack, your rehabilitation usually is conducted in phases, starting in the hospital shortly after surgery. Once you've been stabilized after surgery or after any other procedure, you'll be encouraged to follow through with the various cardiac rehab phases to strengthen your heart muscle and prevent another episode.
Phase I
Phase I begins while you're still in the hospital and free of any further complications. According to Yale University, you'll begin moving around in your bed. You may start by just sitting up and hanging your feet over the side of the bed. Nurses will help you stand up and sit in a chair while they change your bedding. While this might seem like a housekeeping process, it's actually part of your rehabilitation. You'll be asked to move your arms and legs to begin range-of-motion exercises, and eventually you'll be given a walker to start walking around the halls of the hospital.
Phase I Education
In addition to the physical activity you'll undergo while you're still in the hospital, phase I cardiac rehab also includes an educational piece so you can understand what happened to you and how you can prevent another attack. You'll be given written material and videos to watch. Many heart programs include workshops and seminars to which your family can also attend while you're still hospitalized, so they can support your efforts and understand your condition once you're released.
Phase II
Phase II is a medically supervised set of physical therapy exercises designed for your specific needs. During this phase of rehabilitation, your heart is monitored while you work out and perform the exercises in the presence of a physical therapist who's following a set of instructions written by your doctor. Most phase II rehab programs are performed on an outpatient basis. You'll typically visit a physical rehab facility three times a week for 60 to 90 minutes. While your vitals are monitored, you'll also be tested while resting during these sessions.
Phase III
By the time you reach phase III, after about 12 weeks, you're ready to start exercising independently. By then, you should be familiar with the kinds of workouts appropriate for your condition. You'll be given a set of instructions that might include walking or using a stationary bike three days a week for 30 minutes or more; strengthening exercises with light free weights; and flexibility workouts that include stretching. You may continue with this phase on your own or continue to visit the rehab facility for regular monitoring.
