Cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation may prove beneficial to you if you have had:

• A heart transplant
• A pacemaker or defibrillator implants
• Angina pectoris (chest pain)
• Balloon angioplasty atherectomy
• Coronary artery bypass surgery
• Valve repair or replacement surgery

Our cardiac program is broken out into the following phases:

Phase I

Phase I begins in the hospital with low-level activity to help you get stronger. During this time, you will learn facts about heart disease and how lifestyle changes will help benefit your recovery.

Phase II

Phase II begins the outpatient phase of the program and may continue for 12 weeks following your hospital stay. Your exercise program helps you increase your strength and stamina by progressively working longer to a greater intensity. A provider’s referral is required for Phase II.

Education

Our education program focuses on changing cardiac risk factors. The staff customizes an exercise routine you can do safely at home. Classes on managing stress, eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking and other topics are available.

Each week you will receive handouts, booklets and other forms of education to include in your education folder. Some take-home assignments will be given to better evaluate your individual needs.

Additional education classes are available once a week during rehab. Class topics change from week-to-week, including:

• Anatomy and physiology of the heart
• Blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides
• Cardiac procedures
• Cooking for your heart
• Coronary artery disease
• Diabetes and exercise
• Exercising at home
• Heart attack – know the signs
• Managing your risk factors
• Medications
• Nutrition
• Stress management and relaxation