If you have experienced a cardiac event such as a heart attack, angioplasty, heart surgery, or have heart failure it means that the muscle of your heart has been through trauma. It has been weakened. Just like any other muscle in the body, if it is weak, it will leave it open to further injury in the future.

When it comes to your heart that is nothing to mess around with or leave to chance.

This is the reason your doctor will prescribe to you cardiac rehabilitation. It may sound daunting, but the reality is that building a stronger body is empowering. It means you get to actively take back control of your health and your life.

What is Cardiac Rehab?

While it cannot change the past it can alter your future path. It is time to build, repair, and get strong so you can live the life you want on your own terms. We believe in you and know you can do it. We will be here to supervise and encourage you every step of the way.

Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised lifestyle program that has been specially designed to improve your cardiovascular health if you have experienced a heart attack, heart failure, angioplasty, or heart surgery.

Cardiac rehabilitation consists of three parts:

• Training and Exercise: Movement gets your heart pumping and your cardiovascular system working. You’ll learn how to get your body moving to promote heart health.
• A Re-Education and Lifestyle Make Over: A key element of cardiac rehab is educating yourself: Managing Risk factors. Quit smoking. Make heart-healthy nutrition choices. Each of these will help your heart and allow you to feel better.
• Stress Reduction: Stress harms your heart emotionally and physically. This portion of cardiac rehabilitation can help you identify and eliminate everyday sources of stress allowing you a calmer more joy-filled existence.

Don’t Go It Alone

You don’t need to face heart disease alone. Cardiac rehab is a group effort.

You’ll work together with your support team – doctors, nurses, pharmacists, family and friends – to take charge of the choices, lifestyle, and habits that affect your heart.

How to Get Started

Here’s how to get going and make the most of the program

• Ask your doctor if you are eligible.
• If you are, register for a cardiac rehab program.
• Work with your medical team to set goals
• Create a cardiac rehabilitation plan
• Take charge of your life and in your care
• Keep taking your medications and supplements on time daily
• Report any new or worsening symptoms and never hesitate to go to the ER or call 911 if you think you may be having another event

At Tampa Cardiovascular Associates of Tampa Bay, Florida we want only the best for you. If we can help in any way, call us. 813-975-2800. Visit us on the web at www.tampacardio.com to learn more about our practice and what we offer.

We wish you the very best in going through Cardiac Rehab. Be proud of yourself for taking this step. Your body will thank you.