Millions of Americans have heart valve disease. If you’re recovering from heart valve replacement, consider cardiac rehab and therapy at Longwood Cardiac Recovery & Rehabilitation Center in Longwood, Florida. Doctor of Physical Therapy Sergio Sepúlveda Sunez, DPT, offers personalized rehabilitation services that maximize your recovery and heart health. Schedule an in-person or virtual evaluation by calling the office or requesting one online today.

What is heart valve replacement?

Heart valve replacement is a surgical procedure that replaces a damaged heart valve with a new one made from biological tissue or artificial parts. It’s a treatment for heart valve disease, which affects nearly 3% of the United States population. 

There are four valves in your heart, and a surgeon can replace any of them if they’re not functioning properly. Biological heart valves are sourced from humans, pigs, or cows, while mechanical heart valves are made from carbon or metal.

Heart valve replacement surgery is common. It may help you avoid serious and life-threatening heart problems. 

To maximize recovery after heart surgery, consider cardiac rehab and therapy at Longwood Cardiac Recovery & Rehabilitation Center.

Who may need heart valve replacement?

You might be a candidate for heart valve replacement surgery if you experience one or more of the following:

• Angina (chest pain)
• Dizziness
• Breathing problems
• Palpitations 
• Fainting
• Mitral valve disease
• Congenital heart defect
• Aortic valve disease
• Tricuspid valve disease
• Pulmonary valve disease
• Swelling (edema) in your belly, ankles, or feet
• Rapid weight gain from fluid retention

A heart specialist may recommend the procedure if your heart can’t pump blood efficiently or you have symptoms of a heart problem.

What happens during cardiac rehab after heart valve replacement?

After undergoing heart valve replacement, cardiac rehab and therapy at Longwood Cardiac Recovery & Rehabilitation Center is an excellent way to maximize your recovery. 

Dr. Sepúlveda Sunez offers convenient virtual assessments for initial consultations and follow-up appointments.

Your personalized cardiac rehab plan after heart valve replacement surgery may consist of:

• Pritikin intensive cardiac rehab (ICR)
• Vestibular screening for balance disorders and dizziness
• Heart-healthy nutrition education
• Stress management
• Long-term behavior change strategies
• Emotional support
• Smoking cessation
• Routine patient monitoring
• Transportation assistance
• Doctor referral program

ICR at Longwood Cardiac Recovery & Rehabilitation Center is a structured cardiac rehabilitation program that combines supervised, disease-specific exercises with heart-health and lifestyle education. 

Through rehab, Dr. Sepúlveda Sunez helps you regain strength, endurance, and mobility to enhance your quality of life and lessen the risk of further heart concerns.

Longwood Cardiac Recovery & Rehabilitation Center also offers CardiaLine, a convenient cardiopulmonary monitoring system that offers remote patient monitoring.

Follow up with Dr. Sepúlveda Sunez for routine cardiac rehab and therapy sessions to heal effectively after heart surgery. He takes a patient-centered, holistic, integrative approach and tailors treatment plans to your specific needs.

After undergoing heart valve replacement, schedule cardiac rehab at Longwood Cardiac Recovery & Rehabilitation Center by phone or online today. Virtual visits are available.