Cardiac Wellness
The Cardiac Wellness Program offers a combination of health education and monitored physical exercise for anyone who has had a heart attack or other cardiac event or may be at risk for one. The benefits of cardiac rehabilitation include reduced risk of fatal heart attack, decreased severity of angina, a reduced need for hospitalization because of heart problems and decreased anxiety.
Elements of the progam include:
Exercise
- Beginning with an individual fitness evaluation and exercise plan
- Sessions are medically supervised with continuous heart rate and blood pressure monitoring by exercise physiologists and registered nurses
- Sessions are held three days a week. A typical program lasts six to twelve weeks
Education- Presentations include information about
- Heart disease
- Stress management
- Lifestyle changes
- Nutrition and exercise
- Complementary therapies
Confidence
Replacing fear with confidence is one of the primary goals of the Cardiopulmonary Wellness Program. A combination of health education and monitored physical exercise helps individuals regain their confidence. Cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack reduces the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by as much as 25 percent.
Program Phases
Phase II. Following discharge from the hospital, patients begin the outpatient phase of cardiac rehabilitation – a 6-12 week exercise and education program designed to build fitness, gain knowledge and restore confidence. Phase II includes:
- Individual fitness evaluations and exercise plans
- Medically-supervised exercise sessions with continuous heart rate and blood pressure monitoring by exercise physiologists and registered nurses
- Continuing education classes for patients and families
- Support and encouragement from other patients in the program
Phase III. Phase III is often a continuation of Phase II. It involves supervised exercise sessions including heart rate and blood pressure monitoring. Phase III can be used as a bridge between the extensive monitored Phase II and an independent exercise routine.
How Do You Enroll?
Program participants have a diagnosis of coronary artery disease which may include a recent heart attack, stable angina, or heart surgery. To obtain the maximum benefit from cardiac rehabilitation, participation needs to begin shortly after discharge from the hospital or at a physician’s request. Admission requires a physician referral. Medicare and most insurance companies allow coverage for the program. Certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).
To learn more about the Cardiac Wellness Program, call 678-312-3692.