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Heart Surgery Patients Exercise for Faster Recovery
24 Apr
Summary
- Patients awaiting heart surgery are participating in exercise trials.
- Exercise before surgery aims to speed up patient recovery.
- Graeme Harrison has aortic stenosis and is part of the study.

Previously, patients scheduled for heart surgery were advised to refrain from physical activity. However, a new study at University Hospital Southampton is investigating the potential benefits of exercise prior to surgery.
The research aims to determine if pre-operative exercise can lead to a faster and more robust recovery for patients. Participants are engaging in regular exercise sessions as part of this evolving understanding of post-operative care.
Graeme Harrison, diagnosed with aortic stenosis, is one of the patients involved in this trial. This condition affects his heart's ability to pump blood efficiently, causing fatigue and breathlessness. He is awaiting an operation to replace his aortic valve and is currently a regular at the hospital's exercise facilities, utilizing an exercise bike weekly.