After myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, and stent implantation, many heart disease patients fall into the same misconception regarding recovery: they believe that after surgery and regular medication, everything will be fine, so they just lie in bed and deliberately refuse all forms of exercise.
Director Shu Yue of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department at Hainan Chengmei Hospital reminds us that surgical treatment and drug management are only the first half of heart disease treatment. Scientific and individualized exercise rehabilitation is the core key to strengthening the cardiovascular defense line and reducing the risk of disease recurrence.
Clinical data confirms that adhering to standardized exercise rehabilitation for patients with heart disease can reduce the risk of secondary onset and assist patients in returning to normal life.
Resting quietly after surgery may actually damage the heart
Mr. Liu, a 57-year-old citizen, suffered from acute myocardial infarction six months ago. After undergoing coronary stent implantation, he followed the traditional belief that "convalescence requires rest", and stayed at home for a long time, sitting and lying in bed, with minimal daily physical activity. Despite taking medication regularly, he still experienced recurrent symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, general fatigue, and positional dizziness.
During the follow-up examination, it was found that Mr. Liu's cardiopulmonary function had significantly declined, his blood pressure was unstable, and he was also suffering from sarcopenia. He experienced physical exhaustion even after a short walk.
Director Shu Yue stated that Mr. Liu serves as a highly representative case of incorrect rest and rehabilitation in clinical practice. Prolonged immobilization after surgery and a lack of moderate exercise can slow down blood circulation in the body, reduce myocardial tolerance, and accelerate the loss of skeletal muscle in the limbs. This not only increases the heart's blood pumping load but also diminishes the efficacy of medication in regulating blood pressure and lowering lipids, significantly elevating the risk of in-stent restenosis and secondary myocardial infarction.
Four major sports, scientific heart care and rehabilitation
According to Director Shu Yue, cardiac rehabilitation is by no means blind exercise. It involves four complementary training components: aerobic exercise, resistance training, balance training, and flexibility training. These components are suitable for patients with various cardiovascular diseases such as stent implantation, chronic heart failure, and coronary heart disease. They can be conducted either under in-hospital monitoring or as simple home exercises, meeting the rehabilitation needs of middle-aged and elderly patients.
Aerobic training (core focus): Primarily consisting of low-intensity activities such as slow walking, leisurely cycling, and Tai Chi, it aims to enhance myocardial blood supply capacity, improve coronary microcirculation, assist in stabilizing blood pressure, lipids, and blood glucose levels, and reduce vascular lipid deposition;
Resistance training (strengthening the body and consolidating the foundation): It mainly involves gentle movements such as elastic band exercises and unarmed squats. Director Shu Yue reminds that patients with heart disease are strictly prohibited from high-intensity weight-bearing training. Low-intensity resistance training can improve postoperative muscle loss and sarcopenia, and reduce peripheral blood supply load on the heart;
Balance training (exclusive for the elderly): Improve postoperative weakness, orthostatic hypotension, and gait instability, and avoid the risk of dizziness, falls, and injuries when elderly patients get up;
Flexibility training (soothing and repairing): Conduct gentle stretching for the chest, back, shoulders, and neck to alleviate chest stiffness and incision pain after thoracotomy or stent surgery, relax peripheral blood vessels, and stabilize heart rate.
Director Shu Yue pointed out that patients with heart disease should follow a four-step process when exercising: flexibility warm-up, aerobic training, resistance training, and stretching and relaxation. During the entire exercise process, heart rate should be monitored and breathing should be maintained at a steady pace. It is absolutely forbidden to hold one's breath to exert force or engage in overloaded exercise. All training should be conducted based on one's own physical tolerance.
Avoid pitfalls, achieve scientific and efficient recovery
Drawing from years of clinical diagnosis and treatment experience, Director Shu Yue has identified three common rehabilitation misconceptions and reminds heart disease patients to avoid them in a timely manner:
Firstly, long-term rest and no exercise after surgery can induce cardiac disuse atrophy;
Secondly, blindly increasing exercise intensity and engaging in high-intensity fitness activities can easily induce arrhythmia and chest pain;
Third, simply taking medication and refusing physical rehabilitation will prolong the recovery period and double the risk of relapse.
Meanwhile, Director Shu Yue specifically reminded that due to the hot and humid climate in Hainan throughout the year, patients should try to choose cooler periods in the morning and evening for training, avoiding the high temperatures and intense heat at noon. For patients at high risk of heart failure and severe coronary heart disease, it is necessary to complete a professional cardiopulmonary function assessment before customizing an exclusive exercise rehabilitation program.
Director Shu Yue summarized that cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment integrating medication, diet, exercise, and psychology: medication stabilizes the condition and regulates physical indicators, while four specialized exercises repair bodily functions and optimize systemic blood circulation. The two complement each other and are indispensable.
Expert Introduction
Shu Yue, Deputy Chief Physician
Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation Department
Hainan Free Trade Port E-type Talent
Medical expertise:
Skilled in conventional treatment and cardiac rehabilitation therapy for cardiovascular diseases and critically ill patients; exercise therapy and exercise healthcare for hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and heart disease; chronic disease management, cardiorespiratory endurance assessment, and physical training.