Cardiac Rehabilitation and Education

Despite the significant advances of modern medicine, coronary artery disease continues to be our nation's #1 killer of both men and women. However, acute heart attacks are only a part of the problem. Heart disease is a recurring disease which can cause disability and result in the constant burden of additional health care costs. Heart disease therapy must address the entire disease process and all its underlying causes.

Working under physician supervision, exercise physiologists will develop a comprehensive lifestyle modification program tailored to meet your prevention needs. This program will be available to those with established coronary artery disease, and to those working proactively to lower their risk of developing this disease.

Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation
An outpatient monitored exercise program designed to improve cardiovascular function as a vital component of the recovery process.

Who is eligible?
Your cardiologist, primary care physician or cardiovascular surgeon may recommend and refer you to cardiac rehabilitation due to the following:

• Heart Attack
• Angioplasty or Coronary artery stenting
• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
• Valve repair or replacement surgery
• Heart or heart-lung transplant

Your individual program may include:
• Assessment of cardiac risk factors
• Education on lifestyle modifications to reduce risk for future cardiovascular related disease
• An individualized aerobic exercise program and analysis by an exercise physiologist
• Monitored exercise sessions to assess compliance and cardiovascular response to exercise
• Assessment by a cardiologist if treadmill testing is abnormal or if new cardiac symptoms develop
• Monitoring of nutritional and pharmacological treatment of hyperlipidemia in conjunction with your primary physician
• Health status evaluation based on individual patient survey
• Participation in a heart disease support group
• Referral to your primary physician or other clinics for other medical problems

Phase III Cardiac Rehabilitation
An exercise program designed to provide a medically supervised environment for individuals who have completed Phase II program or who have been referred by their physician due to the presence of two or more of the following risk factors.

• Males 45 years or older
• Females 55 years old or older
• A family history of premature coronary disease
• Current cigarette smoker
• High blood pressure (or taking medication to treat high blood pressure)
• Elevated cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Body weight 20% more than ideal body weight
• Sedentary lifestyle

All participants must be under the care of a cardiologist and/or a primary physician. Your physician(s) will be notified that you are participating in the Clinic. Each visit you make will be recorded and written reports are available for your physician.

As a participant in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Education, each visit you make will be recorded in your clinic notes. A written report of findings will be sent to your physician. You will receive a Cardiovascular Health Profile after your initial assessment.

Contact Us
For more information about any of the Cardiac Rehabilitation and Education services, please call (217) 383-3484.