COVID-19 tools and resources: symptom checker, safety measures, and visitor, testing and vaccine info. Learn more.
COVID-19 tools and resources: symptom checker, safety measures, and visitor, testing and vaccine info. Learn more.
Although your heart itself is resilient — there's not much it can't handle — the type of incision used by your HonorHealth heart specialist for your heart surgery will dictate how soon you return to your usual exercise routine.
Even with traditional heart surgery, when the breastbone is broken to repair the heart, you can be exercising strenuously in two to three weeks. Just keep in mind that you're recovering not only from surgery, but also from heart disease.
Types of heart surgeries, from least to most invasive are:
Aortic valve surgery involves a two-inch incision between the ribs above the breastbone. Mitral valve surgery involves a two-inch incision between the breastbone and the armpit.
Cardiac rehab has been shown to improve your exercise tolerance and your psychological and social well-being without increasing your risk medically. In an HonorHealth cardiac rehabilitation program, you'll learn how to adopt a healthy lifestyle with the help of such medical professionals as cardiologists, nurses, exercise physiologists, physical therapists, dietitians and social workers.
Cardiac rehabilitation involves three phases: