Can heart damage be repaired?

[cisco2u2003]

Although I have never FELT a heart attack, I had quintruple bypass in Dec. 2004. Just recently I was told that I have heart damage again. It was not clarified if it was the same from presurgery or additional heart damage. It was not my regular Doctor that made the statement.
My question to you or folks within this forum is as follows:
Is there anything that I can do to repair that damage ? or once damage all I can do is prevent it from further damage by doing what ????? exercise ??? What kind of exercise???
Thanks in advance for an answer.

[Flycaster305]

I've remodeled my heart with the help of drug therapy and exercise... three times.  To explain, I've had three MI's.  After each one my heart efficiency (Ejection Fraction) dropped into the 30% range, and stents were installed, I went to cardiac rehab, took prescribed drugs and exercised, and after each incident my Ejection Fraction came back up higher, meaning my heart health improved. Erijon and Kenkeith have offered great information to you.  

I would, if possible, ask your question to your regular doctor.  If she/he is not available, I'd ask for a clarification from the doctor who gave the advice or another doctor, but make sure they have all your records when they advise you.  

If you have further heart damage and if exercise is recommended, I would urge Cardiac Rehabilitation as a starting point.  There, you would exercise wired up to heart monitoring equipment and you could establish an exercise baseline.  From there you could exercise on your own with confidence that your tolerance level would be understood.  

I have not had bypass surgery but have had eight stents, each of us brings something new to the table and that's why I think erijohn and kenkeith are on the money.  Do stay in touch.

[kenkeith]

Before your question regarding the protocol regimen for your condition can be safely advised, a stress test should be given.  However, you should have been given a cardiac rehab-discharge summary that would advise limitations and duration as well as medication information.

If exercise is not prohibited...usually recommended, years ago it was advised just to rest...aerobic exercise can increase physical tolerance and is generally benefical mentally as well.  An exercise program should be a model specific for your condition and capabilities and follow the guidelines for cardiac patients.

Further damage prevented requires an understanding of the underlying problem.  If the underlying problem is ischemic due to clogged vessels, medications can help prevent (some say reverse) plague buildup and reduce heart's workload can help the heart to reverse remodeling and gain strength.  If the underlying cause is a valve problem, then the afterload for the heart is reduced as much as possible, etc.

[erijon]

Your question about exercise needs to be answered by your cardiologist as we are not doctors on the forum and only a trained professional should assess your ability to exercise safely. As far as heart damage is concerned, once the cells are dead there is nothing that can be done to repair them to my knowledge. They may only be "stunned" and the possibility exists if this is the case to get them out of hibernation, it's called myocardial hibernation. I don't know if this is the case with you but you should certainly ask your cardiologist.

Good luck,

Jon