Cardiac Rehab: Examples of Phase I Exercises After a Heart Attack
As your strength gradually increases, your recovery team (nurses and
physical therapists) will encourage you to progress from basic postural
exercises in your bed to walking in the halls and down stairs. Examples of
exercises following a heart attack are shown below.
Initial inpatient daily activity
|
Step 1
|
- Rest in bed until stable.
- Sit
up in bed with assistance.
- Stand at bedside with
assistance.
- Perform self-care activities while seated.
|
|
Step 2
|
- Sit up in bed
independently.
- Walk in room and to bathroom.
- Perform
self-care activities in bathroom.
|
|
Step 3
|
- Sit and stand
independently.
- Walk in hall with assistance: 5 to 10 minutes, 2 to
3 times a day.
|
|
Step 4
|
- Walk in hall: 5 to 10 minutes, 3 to 4
times a day.
- Walk down flight of stairs with assistance.
|
As you become stronger, walking in the halls should become an
important part of your recovery. An example of a progressive program that may
be used is shown below:
Increase in daily activity
|
Mode
|
Walking in hospital hall |
|
Frequency
|
Early mobile (days 1 to 3)
- 1 to 2 times a day (always warm up and
cool down)
Later mobile (days 2 to 4) |
|
Intensity
|
|
|
Time
|
- Intermittent bouts, 3 to 5
min.
- Rest periods at your discretion, 1 to 2 min. shorter than
exercise bout
- To progress, initially increase to 10 to 15 min.,
then increase intensity.
- Include stair climbing when your doctor
says it’s okay.
|
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Richard D. Zorowitz, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
|
Last Revised
|
October 5, 2010 |
Last Revised:
October 5, 2010
