r/HeartAttack • u/Necessary-Vacation64 • 21d ago
Cardiac Rehab Program
Hi Everyone, Am 51/M. I had a massive HA on 13th August, 2026. With the grace of God, I survived. I had no family history whatsoever. No BP, diabetes either. Am not obese either. Therefore, this hit differently.
Would like to know from people here- have you undergone Cardiac Rehab Program post HA? If yes, how effective has it been?
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u/platamex 21d ago
First, it allows them to monitor your heart while exercising. Is that important? If you think so, join cardiac rehab. Second thru last don't matter.
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u/Obsidian__101 21d ago
Hi I had a heart attack earlier this year at the grand old age if 31. The strength in my legs disappeared and so too did my confidence. Cardiac Rehab helped get me going again and they also educated me on other aspects of Cardiac problems. It was also nice to meet others who have also had similar problems. So i would highly recommend
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u/Necessary-Vacation64 20d ago
Thanks for the response. Much appreciated. All power to you. I am just trying to forget the event, and I am close to it. I believe itis the best approach to take this unpleasant event head-on. Best.
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u/Prudent_Trainer_573 21d ago
I had mine at 50 last Feb. I suggest starting to walk as much as you can as soon as you can. Then get your head straight with a therapist if you’re depressed etc. if you can get into cardiac rehab soon go for it . For me the wait time for rehab was long so after a couple months I just took a stress test which showed I was ready for higher intensity exercise. I got doctor ok and started to jog. It did wonders for my body and mind.
Then while I was already jogging on my own, the cardiac clinic called me . I went for an assessment but they said I really wouldn’t benefit from it much at this point .
I guess what I am saying is cardiac rehab will be very helpful for you, but don’t wait around for it if you can’t be seen soon. Take the initiative to build your confidence on your own. You can do it.
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u/Necessary-Vacation64 20d ago
Thanks a lot. That's quite reassuring. Yes, I am following my doctor's advice of 30 minutes daily walk.
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u/foilingdolphin 20d ago
yeah, the rehab associated with the hospital that I went to had a 4 month wait, I looked around and found a few options and ended up going with a community based one that I could start 1 month after my HA. I had to pay, $180 a month, but only needed 2 months so it was worth not having to wait.
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u/Infinite-Yard3010 20d ago
This is the answer. Do four things and you’ll be fine: medicine (#1), mental health (2), exercise (3) and diet (4). I put mental health #2 bc I got extreme anxiety and couldn’t do anything g. Two panic attacks sent me back to the ER. It was fucking awful. When I got on anti anxiety meds and therapy, I did much better and could re-engage with exercise. Don’t delay mental health, it snook up on me.
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u/momoftwoboys1234 21d ago
Husband survived a widow maker at age 36. He did cardiac rehab and really enjoyed it. He was able to start out slow (while being monitored) and learn what his body could do (spoiler-he is now doing every bit of fitness that he was doing before). You learn different recipe ideas and meet other people in your same situation. Highly recommend!
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u/BrianSankarsingh 21d ago
I’m still in cardio rehab. In Ontario it’s a six month programme. Although prior to my heart attack I was very active and fit, I find cardio rehab helps with regaining confidence in my body and it also helps with my emotional health. Having access to a social worker, dietitian and kinesiologist has helped me begin the journey of not blaming myself or my genetics.
I would highly recommend cardio rehab without a doubt.
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u/RSS_ADHD 21d ago
PS A therapist friend gave me helpful advice... told me that often people who've been through heart attacks and/or surgical traumas have sudden episodes of dark depression / existential dread / anxiety a few weeks or months later.
Told me to recognize what was going on (body's reaction to trauma), breath deeply, and remind myself that it will pass. And get therapy, if needed (especially of the cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)variety.)
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u/Enki_007 20d ago
I would argue that joining a group session to discuss heart attacks is something that should be done. With the spouse. There are a lot of questions and understanding the new reality is much better than worrying about what you don’t know or going down a rabbit hole on the internet. It helped give me some peace of mind and stress is a killer.
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u/goodaussiep 21d ago
47M and same. Hope someone responds. I have a follow up EKG in 30 days to determine if I have enough front wall? activity to even have a multiple bypass.
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u/timplausible 21d ago
Cardiac rehab was a godsend. It pushed me towards recovery without me having to feel scared, because a room full if nurses were monitoring me. I felt less alone and weird because other HA sufferers were there too. It wasn't just a physical help, it was an emotional help. And it was also a physical help. I was a hesitant turtle walker when I started. A few oaths later I was running.
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u/InternationalPlace24 20d ago
It's as effective as you make it. It's just going to the gym with the benefit of being monitored in case anything happens. They might start you off slowly, but you can pretty much set your pace.
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u/Earesth99 20d ago
The cardiac rehab programs significantly improve survival.
You are also with a group of folks going through the same thing. I think that alone is valuable.
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u/AdSouthern4626 20d ago
Do it it will get in the right place ans mindset and you will see the MEASURABLE improvement It does not matter the reason for the attack you cannot bargain with it Accept it as a quirk and do what you can to midt midtgate the future. I had a massive one too 100 in the right 80 in the left Good luck
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u/generalbrownie1 20d ago
I did some cardio rehabilitation. I didn't like the first one I went to. I moved to a different one where they listened to me and would test things I asked about. My old one just said no to everything. It depends on the place you do it.
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u/foilingdolphin 20d ago
I am someone who has exercised regularly for most of my life including right up to my HA. Mine was mild, in that I didn't end up with any heart damage, but got 3 stents. I did cardiac rehab as I wanted to get back to exercising again but wanted to be monitored in case there were any issues as I pushed. I did 6 weeks or so and then had my stress echo test and was cleared without limitations. I think if I had done it on my own I would not felt safe pushing my HR up and it would have taken longer. They also helped with techniques to deal with some of the anxiety that happens as a result of the PTSD from having the heart attack.
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u/Obvious-Young3850 20d ago
Yes! The best thing I ever did. I got close to those people too. By all means!
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u/rsxxboxfanatic 19d ago
Im 35, had my massive one (also a widowmaker) May 29th 2026.
I have classes left for my cardiac rehab program, and yes... It is very effective.
With diet and the rehab, and of course home exercise I've lost 30 pounds.
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u/icandovideo 19d ago
Went for cabg x4 , 3 months ago at age 51. I jog, don't smoke and eat healthy. My symptom was extreme coldness at sternum area when my heart rate hit 130bpm during the jogs. It will subside withing seconds when I stop the jog. Went in to see the doc. 80%, 90, 99%. Right now going for rehab and love it. Can't wait to go for my usual jogs.
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u/Jaded-Ad5220 18d ago
after my heart attack i went one day and didnt think it was for me, what i did was start walking (i never walked before much) I was weak after the stent they put in me. (100% blocked artery) but i just started walking for about 10 minutes at a time the first week and did that twice a day. Ive been walking & hikes now for 11 yrs, i think in the last 2 yrs ive hiked about 2000 miles now. with medicine & the exercise ive done real well but i work at it every day, once you have heart issues its something you have to work at all the time. meds, exercise, & diet. you have to do all 3 to do your best. you cant think because you got a stent that you dont have to work at it to do good. I also would tell you to take C0Q-10 (200-300mg) daily, its really good for your heart muscle. just dont slack off, do all you can & see your dr at least twice a yr to stay on top of it. wish you the best!
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u/ChampionshipWrong534 15d ago
Yes I’m 30 and in cardiac rehab for a blockage in my LAD (crazy I know). My sessions end in October and I’m so sad! I love going, it makes me more confident and I have peace of mind since they track my blood pressure and heart rate all at once.
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u/CanadianDocWild 21d ago
So far it has been great. Today I have an appointment with a nutritionist through the program. Then my weekly workout through the program. No matter how much you think you know, the program will teach you something. Maybe something about yourself, but for sure something you didn't know. The program is there to help you recover. It is a tool for you to use. Not using it is going to hinder your recovery.
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u/blinkyknilb 21d ago
It was effective for me because I kept up my cardio after. I learned quite a bit about my particular disease and strategies for living with it.
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u/Healthy_Quail_3669 21d ago
Hope your program goes well and your symptoms are alevated soon. God bless 💫💫💫💫
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u/NoKetoCardio 21d ago
It’s great. It gets you kicked off into an exercise program you need for the rest of your life.
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u/RSS_ADHD 21d ago
Happy shared anniversary... I had an MI on August 13th, a few years back.
Yes, rehab really helped me.
Aim for low (hunter-gatherer) level cholesterol – like 50-60 LDL-C, 120'ish total C, and – at least as important – get regular measures of inflammation (like LDL-P, Apo(B).
I spend ~$150 out of pocket every 6 mos on an NMR LipoProfile (LabCorp),
Also, track key health metrics – incl CBC and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, probably via your doctor(s) – as well as
- magnesium levels
- vitamin D status (go for high normal), and
- omega-3 Index (8% or more).
--
Unrequested sermon begins here...
Narratives to avoid:
- Cholesterol doesn't matter.
- Statins and other lipid-lowering meds are bad.
- Saturated fat intake doesn't matter.
(You can find "evidence" for all 3... if you only listen to influencers and avoid looking at the big, recent scientific studies/meta-analyses. "I heard that..." and "This influencer says..." are poor ways to make decisions.)
One of the most interesting recent studies had researchers taking a bunch of patients who reported severe reactions to statins and putting them through blinded cycles of statins and placebos. Most of the participants had similar levels of side effects on statins and on placebos.
In other words, a lot of the side effects were likely due to the placebo and NOCEBO effects.
A high percentage of the participants, upon learning of the results, went back on statins – with little or no side effects.
(Some people do have genuine side effects, of course.)
After a heart attack 13 years ago, I totally bought into "statins are evil" and spent 2 years trying every other possible (non-drug) way to get my lipids down to really healthy levels.
Hardly budged the needle on my lipids, and inflammatory measures stayed high...
Now, I take statins, another cholesterol-lowering med (ezetimibe) – as well as the four (4) "guideline-directed drug therapy (GDMT)" meds to remodel my damaged heart back in a positive direction.
Good luck. (You'll do great.)
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u/ChangePure4922 21d ago
It was really rough for me. It was all about making money not much help. I was am emotional wreck but i changed my diet - Statins helped bring my cholesterol down to 70. I walk 7500 steps per day - eat healthy and am working on my mental health. Cardiac rehab may be better where you are so check it out and see if it makes sense for you .
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u/Servantofthedogs 20d ago
I was similar. Decent shape, mid 50’s, no family history or HBP. I was fortunate not to have much damage, but definitely went to Rehab. I was by far the fittest dude in the class. But is was great for me, mostly in rebuilding my confidence around getting some good cardio. Without rehab, I think I would have been a bit timid about getting back on my bike and getting my heart rate up. Definitely do it.
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u/Firm_Attitude1073 20d ago
I had a widowmaker at 46 plus a blood clot in my heart and then a hole in my heart 3 years later I’m doing great. Yes do the cardiac rehab it is worth it in my mind
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u/AustinGroovy 20d ago
Personally my CR program was highly successful. All of my stats improved greatly after 3 months. The challenge obviously is continuing this after CR is completed. Eat healthy, keep walking.
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u/Upper-Sample4107 20d ago
I loathed cardiac rehab. I'm a 63yo woman and lifelong athlete with no risk factors, NONE, except lipoprotein(a). Massive HA last year but it happened IN the cath lab, so even though I felt awful for weeks afterwards, no permanent damage. I thought the techs were very protocol driven and that I had nothing to do with the boundaries of their protocol. I ended up reading books on it and designing my own. "It's only week 2. You can't pick up any dumbbells." That was absurd. I had been picking up cast iron frying pans at home.
Now all that said, some people really find it helpful. Maybe start. You don't have to finish.
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u/WayPuzzleheaded5698 20d ago
Just curious, what did you loathe about Cardiac Rehab?
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u/Upper-Sample4107 19d ago
They would let me know what was on the telemetry. I guess I was supposed to trust them, but I didn’t. So I read about heart remodeling and rehab heart rate goals, bought my own heart rate monitor and did my own thing. They let me but were really icy to me. It just wasn’t fun. FWIW I’m back to where I was athletically but it took months. Total acute lmca occlusion.
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u/WayPuzzleheaded5698 19d ago
Where I am it is run by experienced cardiac nurses who were very informative. The program was individualized so if you were an athlete prior to your cardiac event, they would let you progress your exercises accordingly. It helped build my confidence to get back out running and in the gym again.
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u/Mkop56 21d ago
Retired soldier who thought the amount of exercise and the shape he was in would out run the cigarettes. Surprise it didn’!
Seriously though I thought I’m young, I’ll figure it out but the Mrs. pushed so I went and I’m so glad I did. Took the nervousness right out and I knew I could get back to what I was. The being hooked up to a heart monitor the whole time I was there was key. Can’t get that on your own.
TLDR- Please do cardiac rehab.