Cardiac Rehabilitation Services

What Is Cardiac Rehab?

Cardiac Rehab is the use of exercise, education, and psychological and emotional support to facilitate a patient’s recovery from heart disease or heart surgery.

1. Strengthen the heart muscle
2. Increase stroke volume, which allows the heart to pump more efficiently
3. Increase the supply of oxygenated blood to the heart and reduce blood clots
4. Elevate the body's metabolism to support weight loss, which can be beneficial for individuals with obesity
5. Improve muscle strength and endurance

For six to ten weeks, you will participate in 30- to 60-minute exercise sessions twice a week. You will wear a monitor so the staff can monitor your exercise and heart activity. You will also have a medical evaluation to determine your needs and limitations.

Each program requires an order from your primary care physician to begin.

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The goal is to stabilize, slow down, or even reverse the progression of cardiovascular disease. Cardiac rehabilitation addresses factors that contribute to coronary heart disease, including:



• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Lack of physical activity
• Depression
• Other health concerns

Adapting healthy lifestyle changes, increasing your physical activity, following a healthy diet, reducing risk factors for future heart problems, and improving your emotional health are key to improving your quality of life.

The cardiac rehab team may include a doctor, respiratory therapist, dietitians, and mental health specialists.

Did you know that diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease? In fact, there is even a condition called diabetic heart disease, which can develop in people with diabetes. Having diabetes raises your overall risk of developing heart problems and also makes it more likely that you will develop those problems earlier and/or in a more severe form than people who do not have diabetes.

Upon entering a cardiac rehabilitation program, you will:



1. Have a medical evaluation to determine your needs and limitations. The medical staff uses this information to tailor a program to your needs.
2. Exercise using a treadmill, bike, or rowing machine.
3. Be monitored for any changes in symptoms by a rehab specialist or another healthcare professional.
4. Start slowly, following a safe physical activity program that gradually helps you become stronger.
5. Slowly move into a more intensive program that lets you work longer and harder.
6. Begin strength training, pending your doctor's approval.
7. Have your heart rate, blood pressure, and EKG monitored.
8. Feel better after completing the program. It is important to make these lifestyle changes a part of your everyday life!

Have questions about the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program or want to learn more about the services available? Contact the Cardiopulmonary Department for more information.