All Cardiac and Vascular Rehab courses involve heart healthy education and learning, and gradual but consistent exercise. The traditional options include a hospital based program, or now a virtual live class.This program is home based and self directed, similar to many of the programs in other countries. The entire course is designed to be viewed and completed in order, with a total of 24 sessions over 8 weeks, and will include a large variety of lesson topics created by Dr. Selsky, a former medical director of a Cardiac Rehab program, along with recorded exercise sessions. Each session will have a duration of 35-45 minutes.
EQUIPMENT:
- A home electronic (arm) blood pressure machine, typically sells for ~ $50
- A pulse oximeter, to place on the finger to measure heart rate, typical cost $15-20
-For the exercise segments in either Cardiac Rehab program, class members can choose:
A. A higher level of fitness, usually requiring access to aerobic equipment (stationary bike, treadmill, elliptical, stair stepper, etc) at home or at a gym
B. Intermediate level of exercise- completed with standing aerobic exercises
C. Low level of exercise, typically completed seated
-For the exercise segments in the Vascular Rehab program, all participants are encouraged to have access to either a stationary bike, or a leg ergometer pedal machine, either at home or at a gym. Home pedal units are available from a low end of $40, to a higher end of $150
- Comfortable clothing
- Moderate or large water bottle
- Spiral or equivalent notebook for recording weight, blood pressure, pulse rates, and lessons completed
- Internet access, with smart phone, or Ipad, or tablet, or desktop or lap top computer
- Resistance bands- available online (Amazon, Walmart, or any athletic supply company), medium strength, typically $10-20
CAUTION / WARNING
Although the goal of any cardiac or vascular rehab program is heart health, and most patients will attain this goal, choosing to exercise at home could potentially carry some risk. For that reason, each of the rehab programs provide strong and ongoing advice to not exceed a "moderate" level of intensity. In addition, the first 3 weeks of the 9 week program start with smaller and easier sessions, gradually building up.
Reviewing the available research and data, the risk of a true cardiac event or heart attack or even death is exceedingly small using home rehab, in the range of less than 1 out of 100,000 hours of exercise. But I simply cannot give any type of guarantee.
As a precaution, I would advise asking your Cardiologist or at least your primary care doctor if you are ready for phase 2 rehab. Particularly if you are still having any ongoing cardiac symptoms, or if the blood pressure has not been adequately controlled (too high or too low), best to be evaluated by your Cardiologist in the office before proceeding.
Another option if your recovery has been slow, or simply if this would provide a greater comfort level, would be to start the rehab process at a hospital based program for month one (out of the standard 3 months). Then complete the ongoing learning and participation with our home based program.
