How Do You Restart Your Exercise Program After Heart Surgery?

Michael Crawford, MS, Manager of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Cleveland Clinic and certified exercise physiologist talks about how to get back to activity after heart surgery - starting with what you can do in the hospital moving to home, cardiac rehabilitation - and back to the activities you enjoy . He answers common questions patients often ask the cardiac rehab team.

[@jennifermaldonado1678]

My prayers and thoughts are with everyone. I just had Cabg in October a few weeks later had a stroke. We are all in this together keep strong even when you want to give up.

[@alandaddydaycare200]

I just had minimum invasive on mitral valve repair. Started my squat and deadlift on light weights 🎉🎉

[@fluffytail6355]

I had a CABG and AOV replacement last year. It’s been a long recovery. I’m way behind what doctors predict I should be doing exercise wise. I finished my cardiac rehab program at the end of January but only 2 weeks ago, was able to walk without stopping for an hour (slow pace). Don’t feel bad if you’re not exercising as much as the “experts” predict. I’ve had ups and downs in the past year and lately have been dealing with a lot of fatigue, which held me back from exercising, as docs are still titrations and changing my medications.

[@jennifermaldonado1678]

Thank you for sharing your journey. Today was a day I needed the encouragement you have given me.

[@badriiarts]

when i was 16 year old i was attempted with a heart surgery its a very difficult time for me i had been faith in God in every impulse of life now i am well i was successfuly defeated the problems of ❤️

[@DailyNews143]

THAT'S GREAT

[@kathym6603]

Good show doc! Thank you.

[@neilreid9005]

One other reason to join a healthcare facility based cardiac rehab is that your meds will likely change. The med levels you were prescribed in the hospital may have been for an unhealthy lifestyle. If you improve that, you may find the dosages change a lot- my glucose meds were an example of this. True cardiac rehab will check these things during your rehab work- quite important. Hope this helps.

[@FPChris]

I had cabgx4 in 2019. I’m starting now in 2022 to cycle indoors with Zwift. I can do 25 to 30 miles ok. Is the risk of pushing it harder? I’ve been keeping the pace moderate.

[@oldschoolraider7026]

Hi Doctor, I hope that you can help me? I am a 53 year old male and type one insulin dependent Diabetic since I was 12. In May of last year I had a 5 cabg open heart surgery. I try to work out everyday. I go up and down a flight of stairs about 15-20 min 5-6 days a week and move around shadow boxing with ankle weights and a shoulder weight belt for about 60+ min everyday (my movement is limited but I am constantly moving during workouts- but I'm NOT pushing my heart to the limit as I don't feel my heart can take it). My question is that the leg that the artery was taken out of to repair my heart is weak almost like a dead leg, I still have feeling in the leg but I walk with a limp now and it's much harder to move that leg with any stability and force. Is there anything you can suggest I do or take to revive the strength in that leg?? Thank you for your time

[@sushantthakuri3332]

30 years old had a TOF open heart surgery. Can I workout like I used to before in the gym.

[@irfanimp]

you can't give satisfactory answers to the questions!.Two of my heart valves were fitted with titanium and my aorta was narrowed.Before my heart surgery, I was doing 60-70kg weightlifting presses in the air.Now I shouldn't lift weights and just do light walks!?I think we should never tire our hearts apart from a balanced diet and 2-3 km light walks.

[@djanderson6531]

If you've had open heart surgery, stay away from golf for several months, stay away from push-ups, bench presses, or anything that places too much strain on the sternum which needs a good year to heal. Slowly get back to pec exercises when your sternum and L. mammary artery do not hurt anymore.

[@nocturnusmake-up8581]

I'm a yoga teacher and had open heart surgery recently. I was waiting to hit my 4th month post op marker, before getting back into yoga. It hit me that being able to return to normal activities after the 3rd month just means my sternum is healed "enough", but it's going to take a full year to truly be able to do everything I was doing before the surgery. They should really stress that when giving sternum precautions.

[@djanderson6531]

@@nocturnusmake-up8581Correct! I got back in the gym after 7 weeks post-op. I lifted about 1/3 - 50% of my usual weights. I’m 17 weeks now post-op and doing 75%, no sternal pain. But still, no direct pec exercises until another 2 months. But 12 months is a good marker for a healed sternum.

[@kratorakos8398]

Hello, I will have an aortic aneurysm removal. Can i start lifting weights benchpress deadlifts and squats after 3 weeks?

[@colchis.]

I'm 16 years old, and I had open heart surgery 6 months ago. I haven't done any excercises yet besides walking 30 -40 minutes every day, because I'm still in pain, can I start exercising in the gym right now?

[@DailyNews143]

No But You can start Jogging

[@j.cgallagher7092]

I had a widowmaker last week. I had 2 stents. I feel fine and feel I can exercise way more than they are telling me. I want to begin light resistance band training. Is it safe. I'm 44.

[@easandov]

Widowmaker??? Does that mean you had a HEART ATTACK??? Anything could be a widowmaker. How is your EKG does it show damage? Have you had a stress test?

[@ramsharanrasthoki7044]

Got heart surgery about 2.5yrs ago but still feeling some pressure in my heart and sometimes i feel like i'm having a faster heart beat.

[@priscillamathambo2664]

Good day. I'm so interested in getting support from those that have survived an open heart surgery and share ideas. I also had an Aortic Valve Replacement 2years ago but still feel tired when I walk were there is an uphill or steps. Please help advise hw you are copying. Thank you in advance

[@dandelionsarefree7436]

They enrolled me 3 months after discharge. I have no energy

[@nehagupta4412]

Can a person do all types of exercise after stent.. i mean cardio, treadmills, planks e.t.c

[@columbusohio72]

Ive read yes

[@DailyNews143]

Yes offcourse

[@thomasflores2112]

What about ablation

[@zapstarfr]

I always have a pain in my chest and my heart whenever I try to exercise for more than 5 minutes. I had my heart surgery 16 years ago when and now I`m 17. I`m unable to exercise and there`s a lot of fatigues.

[@kishanmuthukuda]

Better to see a cardiologist

[@OmNanahShivay3]

Pls see a cardiologist..

[@colchis.]

I don't want to say this but you may have to do that 2nd time

[@deadmanincgameing159]

Ay I am 15 and next month will be my 4th

[@Relaxwithmav]

My father age is 54 what type of exercise he will do as the surgery had done 4 months ago and little bit pain in her hand and chest...so kindly tell ur openion Sir 🙏🙏

[@dr.shadmbbsdphmasco]

Ask him To walk Gradually For 20 to 30 min and slowly increase duration don't worry but don't be hesitant at first

[@damusaha]

@@dr.shadmbbsdphmasco my bypass surgery June 29 2020 .because of covid19 i am very lass exercise outside. now i fell tiredness chest what i do now ?

[@spoonfeddd5871]

@@dr.shadmbbsdphmasco hi

[@truewerf4413]

To all ppl on here, get expert advice. I implore you

[@rvnmedic1968]

Yes!!! Your post-op surgery is an individual one, regardless of what people comment on here. You NEED to check with your Cardiologist as he/she is very familiar with your open heart case. You don't like what they recommend? Well, there's sound medical reasons for the guidance they give you.

[@HTX_Son]

I agree with this. Follow your doctor’s instructions. I had a quadruple bypass. My doctor advised me not to swing a golf club for 6 months…very different from what this video suggests.

[@1headedmonsta]

Wo.

[@devnayana]

2 month ago angioplasty...so can exercise cycling

[@guzman7565]

How many stents did u get?