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Rehabilitation After Heart Surgery
Cardiac surgery — including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve replacement, and angioplasty — is a life-saving procedure that requires careful rehabilitation for optimal recovery. Cardiac rehabilitation reduces the risk of future cardiac events, improves physical fitness, and helps patients return to normal life with confidence.
Phases of Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Phase I (In-hospital): Early mobilisation, breathing exercises, and gentle movement begin within days of surgery.
- Phase II (Home-based): Graded exercise training under physiotherapy supervision, typically 6–12 weeks post-surgery. This is where home-based physiotherapy is most impactful.
- Phase III (Maintenance): Long-term independent exercise and lifestyle management.
What Home Cardiac Rehab Includes
- Monitored exercise: Your physiotherapist monitors heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation during graded walking, cycling, and strengthening exercises.
- Breathing exercises: Deep breathing and incentive spirometry prevent post-surgical lung complications.
- Sternal precautions: Guidance on protecting the healing breastbone during daily activities, coughing, and movement.
- Activity progression: A structured plan for returning to household tasks, driving, climbing stairs, and eventually recreational activities.
Why Home-Based Cardiac Rehab
Many cardiac surgery patients in India do not complete clinic-based rehabilitation due to travel difficulty and fear of exertion in public. Home-based cardiac rehab achieves comparable outcomes with better adherence. Your PhysioWay therapist follows your cardiologist's guidelines and provides regular progress reports.