Inpatient Cardiac Rehab
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 find 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.
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.
Resting Heart Rate + 20 Beats = Target Heart Rate
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 find 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. Stop the activity if your heart
rate does not slow down.
You can check your pulse at your wrist.
To take your pulse at your wrist:
1. Place the first two fingers of one hand on the opposite wrist. (Do not use your
thumb, because it has its own pulse.)
2. Gently press the fingers on your wrist toward the side below your thumb. You
will feel a steady tap (beat) under your fingers.
3. Count the number of beats for 1 full minute.
If you are having trouble taking your pulse, you may want to consider buying a
pulse watch.
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