Open heart surgery or bypass is a common operation performed to make new paths that help the blood bypass blocked arteries that supply heart muscles. This restores blood flow and heart health. Exercise is an integral component post bypass surgery during the recovery period.
Advantages of Exercises for Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation not only enables you to heal faster but also ensures that you can return to your normal active lifestyle at the earliest. Regular physical activity and exercises after open-heart surgery are needed to keep your heart healthy. Participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs reduces mortality by 25% in all patients. However, before starting any kind of exercise after heart surgery or cardiac rehab program always consult your doctor. Hence, you can find information about stretching exercises after open heart surgery & many more ahead.
Exercises For Your Chest And Heart Muscles
Few exercises after open heart surgery are recommended by the surgeons, which are less stressful and that would not affect your surgery. You need to rest for the initial few days and only then start exercise, after heart surgery even your body becomes very weak.
- walking
The best kind of exercise for all cardiac patients is walking; this has tremendous benefits in the long term. Brisk walking for 30 mins at least for 3-5 days a week is ideally recommended.
- training
An exercise that includes both weight training and resistance training increases functional capacity and independence. Muscles of the chest and back balance each other. Muscles work like a pulley; if one group of muscles is strengthened, the other set will be lengthened. Thus, when working on chest exercises after open heart surgery, one also has to work on the back muscles. Do not start with heavy weights; work it up gradually and always remember to never overdo it.
You need to ask the doctor about the exercises that you can do.
- stretching
Stretching exercises after open heart surgery will put pressure on your chest, it is better to ask the surgeon before doing any of the exercises.
- Assisted Lunge
This simple exercise after heart surgery is recommended by all cardiac experts. Stand with one foot about 3 feet in front of the other. Hold a chair or some railing for balance. Keep your upper torso straight, and bend your knees and legs forward toward the floor. Do not let your knee, which is in the front, bend over your toe. Push back through your front heel to come up again. Repeat 8-10 times this exercise after heart surgery and then switch legs. However, cardiac patients should start gradually by doing only one set twice a week. This basic exercise is simple and can be done anywhere. It does not require any preparation and helps to strengthen all the muscles in your body. This helps to build your cardiac fitness as well.
- Flexibility Exercises
These stretches help to increase flexibility and improve overall stamina and strength. These help to build the muscles of the upper body and chest exercises after open heart surgery.
- Sit upright and straight on a chair. Lift your shoulder above your head as far as you can. Try to push gently up towards the ceiling and then lower down. Repeat with the other arm. Repeat this slowly four to five times in both the arms.
- Sit on a chair keeping your hips and feet straight facing forward. Turn your head and trunk as much as you can go, initially to the right and then to the left side. Repeat this slowly four to five times.
- Stand up on your feet with your feet slightly apart. Keep your hands by your sides. Gently slide your left hand toward your left knee so that you bend at your waist. Repeat with the right hand toward the right knee. Repeat this slowly four to five times.
Stretches should be done slowly and gently. They should be done only up till you are comfortable. Anything that is painful should be stopped immediately. Weight lifting after open heart surgery also should be avoided. Gradually, you will be able to increase the intensity of your daily workout. Exercising five times a week for 20 mins can help you increase your overall fitness. Avoid trauma or stress to the breast bone by avoiding lifting, pushing, pulling heavy objects and it is also recommended to avoid doing push-ups after open heart surgery and other heavy exercises. Muscles in your chest will gradually heal, and it is advised not to do heavy arm workouts 12 weeks post-surgery. This can disrupt or delay the process of healing.
