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The Wake-Up Call

Sometimes life punches you in the chest—literally.

For me, it all started on February 13, 2025. I went in for a stress test. That led to a heart catheterization on the 17th, and just two days later, I was on the operating table for an open-heart triple bypass surgery.

 

Still in the hospital.

First Steps After Surgery

I’ll never forget what it took just to stand up for the first time. Tubes coming out of my stomach, a catheter, IVs everywhere—it was like waking up inside someone else’s body.

With the help of the nurses and a wheelchair for support, I made my first small walk around the ICU. It was short, but it felt like a marathon.

Later, once I was moved to my own room, I was able to walk the entire floor of my hospital wing. It wasn’t far—about the distance of walking down my street—but at the time, it felt huge.

Why Cardiac Rehab Matters

Cardiac rehabilitation is one of the most important parts of recovering after surgery—or any major heart event. But surprisingly, only about 19–34% of people actually go through it.

Here’s why that matters:
People who complete an average of 36 or more sessions can reduce their risk of death by 47% and their risk of future heart attacks by 31% compared to those who stop after just one.

That’s a big deal.

Rehab isn’t just about exercise. It’s about:

  • Regaining strength and energy

  • Learning to eat better for heart health

  • Managing stress and emotions

  • Staying on top of medications and appointments

And it’s not just physical. I didn’t expect how much cardiac rehab would help with my mental health after heart surgery. It’s made a difference with anxiety, stress, and the emotional fog that followed surgery.

For me, this isn’t just about recovery. It’s about rebuilding a healthier lifestyle after heart surgery.

Showing Up

Cardiac rehab might sound simple—show up, move your body, go home. But when your body’s been through what mine has, just walking through the hospital doors is a big win.

Shortly after coming home from the hospital, I asked my son to grab me a half-gallon of ice cream. I couldn’t even scoop it out—I didn’t have the strength. He had to do it for me.

So yeah, I wasn’t sure how my body would handle rehab. Would I be the oldest one there? Doubt it. The slowest? Probably. Would I feel out of place? Absolutely.

But none of that mattered. What mattered was that I showed up—and tried.

Starting Rehab: Week One

Monday, April 14th was my first official day of hospital-based cardiac rehab. I was eight weeks post-op, and even though I’d been doing light exercises at home, this felt different. I was nervous.

I didn’t take any pictures or record anything that day. I wasn’t comfortable enough for that yet, and honestly, I’m not sure they even allow it. But I did get a shot outside the facility, just before walking in.

Outside the facility, getting ready to go in for my first day of rehab.

The Rehab Routine

Each session lasts about an hour. When I arrive, the nurse hooks me up to a heart monitor using electrodes on my chest, then takes my blood pressure. Once I’m cleared, the session begins.

Here’s what a typical cardiac rehab workout looks like:

  1. Warm-up stretches

  2. Treadmill – I started at 6 minutes, 1.5 mph

  3. Arm ergometer – 3 minutes forward, 3 reverse

  4. Stepper machine – This one burns my quads every time

  5. Back to the treadmill – a short final walk

After that, they take my blood pressure again, I do some cool-down stretches, and if my heart rate looks good, I’m cleared to leave. If not, I sit and rest until it’s back in the safe zone.

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Progress So Far

As of this writing, I’m finishing up week five of rehab after open-heart surgery.

  • I’ve gone from 6 to 10 minutes on each machine

  • I’m up to 3.2 mph on the treadmill

  • On the arm ergometer, I’ve pushed myself to 1,200 reps

  • On the stepper, I went from barely completing one lap to now doing three

Every Thursday, our goals get raised. I never know how much until I show up, but I’m learning to welcome the challenge.

Between Sessions

I go to rehab three times a week—Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings. On the other days, I keep moving with walks, light chores, and some guided rehab videos I’ve found online.

It’s slow and steady—but I’m committed.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about my open-heart surgery recovery. It’s about rebuilding my life from the inside out:

  • A stronger heart

  • Smarter habits

  • A clearer mindset

  • A longer, more meaningful life

I’ll be sharing what I learn, what I feel, and what I struggle with here on the blog, on YouTube, and across social media.

If you’re recovering from heart surgery, or just trying to make your life healthier, I hope you’ll stick around. And if you’re just curious—welcome. This old man’s just getting started.

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Final Thoughts: Let’s Keep This Going

If you’ve been through something similar, I’d love to hear your story. Drop a comment below or connect with me on Instagram, YouTube, or Threads.

Thanks for being here—this means more than you know.

—
Chris,
Starting over in midlife—focused on heart health, aging gracefully, and living a Level 10 Life.