The Importance of Cardiac Care After a Hospital Stay

What is Cardiac Care?

It’s a clinical program that includes education, exercise and support to heal your heart following surgery, hospitalization or diagnosis. Cardiac rehab is available in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, clinics and home settings. You receive assistance from specialists such as cardiologists, nurses, nutrition specialists, physical therapists and mental health professionals.

Common goals of cardiac care include:

• Improve recovery after surgery or illness
• Maintain heart function
• Reduce the risk of rehospitalization
• Educate patients and loved ones
• Provide strategies for at-home care
• Improve quality of life

Why is Cardiac Care Necessary After Hospitalization?

Your heart is vulnerable during the initial stages of recovery. The first few weeks following surgery or hospitalization require close monitoring, so your team can identify and address issues quickly and promote safe healing. You may also have to adjust to new medication, changes in blood pressure, limited cardiac function and lifestyle modifications.

There are certain risks following a cardiac incident that can be addressed with clinical care, including:

• Fluid buildup around your heart
• Blood clots
• Heart failure
• Uncontrolled blood pressure
• Medication errors
• Overexertion

It can be overwhelming trying to coordinate those factors on your own. Working with a specialized team can help put your mind at ease as your physical wellness improves. You have a variety of services at your disposal and trained professionals who are well-versed in assessing your condition and intervening when necessary.

Phases of Cardiac Rehab

Phase 1: Inpatient Cardiac Rehab

If you’ve been hospitalized for cardiac surgery or illness, this type of care typically begins before you’re discharged. Goals are to keep your heart stable and get you moving. Your care team focuses on monitoring your vitals, preventing complications and providing education about next steps. You may also start basic activities, like sitting, standing and taking short, supervised walks.

Phase 2: Early Outpatient Cardiac Care

This period lasts for several weeks following discharge and includes supervised therapy and risk mitigation. You typically undergo cardiac rehab in an outpatient facility where you’ll be assessed and receive a personalized plan. Light cardio exercises, weight training and flexibility techniques help you regain strength and build stamina.

Education and lifestyle support are also crucial during this phase. You’ll learn about heart-healthy nutrition, stress management and medication adherence. If you smoke, your team will discuss cessation strategies. These sessions typically occur several times a week and last for an hour.

Phase 3: Long-Term Recovery and Maintenance

After you’ve completed your supervised rehabilitation, which can last up to six weeks, it’s important to continue at-home exercise and make heart-healthy lifestyle choices. Your care team can provide tips on endurance training, eating habits and vitals monitoring so you can continue your recovery on your own. The goal of this phase of cardiac care is to develop and adhere to healthy habits to promote long-term success.

How Skilled Nursing Cardiac Rehabilitation

It can be hard to know what to expect after you’ve undergone heart surgery or had a heart attack. Receiving cardiac care in skilled nursing can reduce the medical risks associated with short-term recovery. These facilities provide structure and medical oversight so you can heal safely. The staff is trained to bridge the gap between acute care and outpatient treatment so you can successfully transition from stabilization to active recovery.

You can benefit from the following skilled nursing services:

• Ongoing monitoring
• Medication management
• Overnight support
• Care coordination

Your team’s role is to eliminate guesswork and provide your care plan with a trajectory so you can focus on healing.

When to Consider Cardiac Care

You may require cardiac care if you:

• Had a heart attack
• Had bypass surgery
• Had heart valve repair or replacement
• Take medications like anticoagulants, diuretics and antiarrhythmics
• Have safety concerns following discharge
• Have mobility issues that affect recovery

Cardiac Care at Embassy Healthcare

Your heart health is in good hands at Embassy Healthcare. Our cardiac care program is designed to help manage conditions like heart failure, coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. You’ll receive a well-rounded treatment plan based on your unique needs and lifestyle choices. Contact our team for more information.