Hey everyone,
I have a very sedentary job as a programmer. I'm in an office chair at least 12 hrs a
day. After work I pour myself into my Lazy Boy for the rest of the evening because my brain's so drained
that I don't feel like doing anything. And when the weather get hots like it is now with day after day over 100, my lower
legs and ankles feel tight and inflamed.
Maybe they're full of lymphatic fluid from lack of movement. I started squeezing and dragging my hands up my legs when I remembered something…
I wanted to share a bit about my recovery process in ICU after my recent
heart attack and stent procedure. It’s been quite a journey, and I've learned a
lot along the way. One thing I didn't expect was to be put in a compression bed
and have leg wraps on my calves. At first, it seemed a bit odd, but now I get
it.
Compression Bed: Have you ever been
in bed so long that your back started to ache and you wished for a massage? Now imaging laying on a bed that actually has
a built-in massager, but it's not like one of those vibrating hotel beds. Instead, it uses compression because the mattress
has an inflatable air bladder in it and every so often inflates in a different spot
on the bed like under the back, hips, or legs, then releases the air. The expansion places a little bit of gentle pressure
on the muscles and then slowly releases to give a relaxing massage. The idea is to help the blood flow better.
After a heart attack, it's really important to keep the blood moving smoothly
to prevent any clots from forming. Blood clots can be a serious issue, and that
type of compression bed helps lower that risk by promoting better circulation. The only bad experience about it was that the
bed was rock-hard like laying on a concrete floor. It wasn't until two days later that one of
the nurses noticed that it was set to 260 lbs, the weight of the prior patient
in the bed. When she deflated the bed to
my weight (🤐 shhh, a girl's gotta have her secrets!), it felt so
much better and relaxing.
Compression Leg Wraps: They also put compression wraps on the
calves on my legs. They’re basically like snug sleeves for the legs with Velcro
closures. They inflate a little to apply
gentle pressure, then slowly relax by releasing the air. It helps keep the blood in the legs from
pooling and forming clots. It also helps reduce any swelling, which is a nice
bonus. Better blood flow means a smoother recovery overall.
Why Compression is Important:
- Better Blood
Flow: Both the bed and the wraps help my blood circulate more
effectively, which is key after a heart event.
- Less Swelling: They help keep
the swelling down in my legs, making things a bit more comfortable.
- Preventing
Clots: By keeping the blood moving, there's a lower chance of developing
blood clots, which can lead to more complications.
- Relieve Fatigue: Get relief from discomfort caused by prolonger sitting, standing and driving.
- Overall Leg Health: Helpful for varicose veins, muscle cramping, restless leg syndrome (RLS), swelling and edema.
These compression devices might seem a bit strange at first, but they
played a big role in my recovery. It’s all about making sure everything is
flowing smoothly and preventing any setbacks. If any of you are going through
something similar, or know someone who is, I hope this helps shed some light on
why these treatments are used. Stay
healthy and take care!
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