Patient Education Caring For Your Heart Booklet | Page 11

Cardiac Rehab
 Saunas and hot tubs
Inpatient
Cardiac Rehab
 Straining when using the toilet
 Worrying about things you cannot
change
Inpatient cardiac rehabilitation begins
once you enter the hospital with a heart
problem. During this phase, we will help
you identify your risk factors and plan
ways to reduce the chance of further
heart problems. Taking care of your heart
while increasing your activity level is a
key part of rehabilitation.
Checking Your Heart Rate
Checking your heart rate is a way to
monitor your heart’s response to activity.
Taking your pulse is a simple way to
check your heart rate. Each day, you will
need to know your resting heart rate.
To fi nd this, take your pulse for 1 full
minute before activity when your heart
is at rest. Do this when you are sitting or
lying down. Regular exercise can help
lower your resting heart rate, which
decreases the workload on the heart.
Things to Do
 Take your medicine as prescribed by
your doctor.
 Make an appointment to see your
doctor in 2 weeks.
 Know when to call 911 (see page 7).
Next, you need to know your target heart
rate. Your target heart rate is your resting
heart rate plus 20 beats. For example, if
your resting heart rate is 66, your target
heart rate is 86. Your target heart rate
may change each day depending on your
resting heart rate.
 Follow the diet prescribed by your
doctor and dietitian.
 Follow your walking program.
 Get a good night’s sleep each night.
Take rest periods between activities.
 Ask your doctor when you are able to
drive, travel, and return to work.
Resting Heart Rate + 20 Beats =
Target Heart Rate
 Follow any other instructions your
doctor gives you.
You will be taking your pulse before,
during, and after activity. During activity,
your heart rate should not rise above
your target heart rate. If you fi nd your
pulse is more than 20 beats above your
resting heart rate, slow down. You
may increase your activity again once
your heart rate slows down. Continue
to take your pulse and check for effort
symptoms (listed on page 11). Stop the
activity if your heart rate does not slow
down.
Things to Avoid
 Smoking
 Pushing, pulling, or lifting anything
heavier than 5 pounds
 Holding your breath while doing
activities
 Extra trips up and down stairs
 Very hot or cold baths or showers
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