Cardiac Rehabilitation

Contact Me About Heart Health

A Program With Your Well-being At Heart

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to help you recover from a serious heart incident, such as a heart attack or heart procedure to treat heart disease. Patients who go through cardiac episodes often feel alone, shocked or worried about a repeat of the incident. Participating in cardiac rehab can facilitate a patient’s return to normal life, both mentally and physically. The programs take place in a safe, supportive environment, combining monitored exercise that strengthens your cardiovascular system with education on measures you can take, such as diet and lifestyle modification, to reduce your risk of future heart disease. In most cardiac rehab programs, you’ll be with others who have gone through similar experiences.

Cardiac Rehabilitation is recommended for anyone who has had:

  • A heart attack
  • Chest pain or angina
  • Angioplasty or stent procedure
  • Bypass surgery
  • Heart valve repair or replacement
  • A heart or lung transplant
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Cardiomyopathy

Like most Cardiac Rehab programs, ours has three phases. The goal is to provide seamless transitions between them so you can gain strength and return to work, recreational activities and all the things that make life worth living. At the end of the program, you can count on improving your physical and mental health, learning heart healthy behaviors that will reduce your risk for coronary heart disease and other heart conditions, and improve your overall quality of life.

Phase I begins in the hospital after a heart attack, heart procedure or other cardiac event. You’ll learn the specifics of what happened to you and the medicines you must take to manage your condition. Phase I offers a gradual progression of activity, including mild exercise that will ensure a quick return home while building your confidence in preparation for Phase II.

Phase II occurs on an outpatient basis, two to six weeks after your cardiac event. This part of the program is covered by most insurance policies and includes three sessions per week for 12 weeks. Each session is conducted at a safe and comfortable level with our highly trained cardiac rehabilitation specialists working closely with your physician to evaluate your progress. This stage can include telemetry monitoring and aerobic exercise on a variety of exercise equipment (treadmills, stationary bikes, rowers and stair climbers). During this phase, you’ll continue to receive training on exercising safely and effectively, risk factor modification (including how to quit smoking if necessary) and dietary guidelines.

Phase III is a supervised aerobic and strength-building exercise class. It provides medical supervision to monitor your cardiac health, as well as small group personal training to help you attain your health and fitness goals. Phase III is a medically supervised program not usually covered by insurance.

How Can Cardiac Rehab Help Me?

  • Patients who participate in cardiac rehab have a 95% 3-year survival rate and can reduce their risk of having another heart attack by as much as 25%.
  • Programs include clinical evaluations that lead to safe, optimal exercise prescription and realistic goal-setting
  • Participants have access to both individualized exercise and activity programs within a group setting
  • Programs teach management of:
    • Heart rate
    • Blood pressure
    • Blood oxygen levels
    • Cholesterol
    • Diabetes
  • Patients receive support in navigating the return to work and/or normal activities
  • Provides opportunities to bond with with those in similar circumstances
  • Keeps the lines of communication open between you and your cardiologist, primary, or referring physician, long after your cardiac event.
  • Decreases pain and in some cases cuts down on the medications you need to take
  • Improves your overall health by reducing heart disease related risk factors
  • Reduces hospitalizations

Long story short: Cardiac Rehab helps heart patients feel better. So ask your doctor about joining the Hurley Cardiac Rehabilitation Program today. Contact us at (810) 262-2212.