THE PHYSICAL THEARPY DEPARTMEN AT THE LTAC
HOSPITAL WHERE I PERFORM HEMODIALYSIS WISHES TO EXCERCISE PATIENTS BEFORE THEIR DIALYSIS.
SINCE EXCERCISE TENDS TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE AND PATIENTS HAVE MORE CARDIAC ARRYTHIMAS AFTER EXCERCISE I QUESTION IF THIS IS A GOOD IDEA. ANY OTHER SOLUTIONS TO THIS CONFLICT OF SCHEDULES WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Hi Vickie
I can understand your concerns but just wanted to address a few of them. In the short term, exercise is actually more likely to cause your blood pressure to rise due to the exertion involved. In the long-term, combined with other lifestyle changing measures, such as a change in diet, stopping smoking, it can help to lower blood pressure in people who suffer from hypertension. Maybe this is what you are thinking of? As for cardiac arrythmias, these are only likely to occur in anyone who already has a cardiac condition and anyone entering an exercise programme should be fully screened for this beforehand. There has been much work done on the benefits of exercise programmes in the haemo patient population. If you have time, you could try searching for them and then you will be well prepared to address your concerns with the staff at your unit.
Hope this helps and good luck
Angela