Why Do We Save Lakhs for Bypass/Angioplasty but Hesitate to Spend Thousands on Cardiac Rehab?

Many patients and caregivers wonder why it feels difficult to spend a few thousand rupees on Cardiac Rehab after spending lakhs on Bypass surgery or Angioplasty.

This is why Cardiac Rehab is often neglected.

Today, let's understand why Cardiac Rehab should be seen not as an expense but as an investment.

Bypass surgery costs ₹4 to ₹6 lakhs, Angioplasty costs ₹2 to ₹4 lakhs, Plus ICU, hospital charges, medicines, and temporary relief...

Yet, within a few months, issues like high Blood Pressure, Diabetes, weight gain, breathlessness, fatigue, low confidence, and stress often return.

The average cost of a Cardiac Rehab program is ₹15,000 to ₹25,000.

It includes a full year (12 months) of monitoring: exercise, diet, medication management, morale support, and continuous follow-up.

Cardiac Rehab offers an excellent return on investment:

1. The risk of recurrent heart disease reduces by 25–40% (Reference: AACVPR Guidelines, JACC 2018).

2. The chance of needing another Angioplasty or Bypass is lower (Lancet Meta-analysis, 2019).

3. Better control of Blood Pressure, Diabetes, and Cholesterol through doctor-supervised lifestyle improvements.

4. Medication doses decrease with fewer side effects due to expert-verified titration support.

5. Confidence improves, energy increases at work and home, and mental health significantly benefits.

Remember: Angioplasty or Bypass is not the end but a new opportunity. If Rehab is not taken seriously, the risk of losing lakhs increases.

Those who have undergone Angioplasty or Bypass must know that full recovery is not possible without Cardiac Rehab.

Dr. Ravindra L. Kulkarni, MD, DNB, FSCAI (Cardiology) Just For Hearts