Cardiovascular Services

Cardiac Rehabilitation 

Our Certified AACVPR Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is available to anyone who has suffered a heart attack, undergone cardiovascular surgery, angioplasty, stent placement, has congestive heart failure or angina pectoris (recurrent chest pain). The primary goal of our outpatient program is to improve the quality of your life.

Inpatient Care
During your inpatient stay, you will learn what contributed to your heart condition. You will also be instructed about the medications being prescribed and how they work. Because you were hospitalized for a heart-related problem, your physician may refer you to our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. The program's gradual and progressive activities will help you feel stronger and more comfortable about resuming your every day activities.

Returning Home
However, after you return home from your inpatient stay, a short convalescent period with minimal activity initially I usually "doctor's orders". At your follow-up appointment with your physician you can discuss referral into our outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

Our Program
Our Certified AACVPR Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is available to anyone who has suffered a heart attack, undergone cardiovascular surgery, angioplasty, stent placement, has congestive heart failure or angina pectoris (recurrent chest pain). The primary goal of our outpatient program is to improve the quality of your life. Your personal needs and lifestyle are taken into consideration to ensure the road back to good health is a comfortable one. Through education and exercise, this program can help you identify and modify your risk factors.  Risk factors which increase the chance of developing heart disease include:

• Smoking
• High Blood Press (above 140/90)
• High Serum Cholesterol (above 150)
• Lack of Exercise
• More Than 20 Percent Overweight
• Constant Stress
• Diabetes
• Menopause
• Heredity

Participants in the program get a comprehensive evaluation by the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team. The evaluation consists of:

• Nursing Assessment
• Graded Exercise Test
• Review of Personal Risk Factors
• Body Composition Measurement

The results of the overall evaluation become the basis for a personal exercise prescription. Structured therapeutic exercise sessions and education classes are offered. These sessions and classes meet twice per week for up to 12 weeks. The exercise sessions include:

• Warm Up and Cool Down Exercises
• Dynamic Aerobic Exercises on Equipment including Treadmills, Stairmasters, Cycles, Recumbent Cycles, and Arm Ergometers
• Strength Training and Free Weights

During the exercise sessions, participants' heart rate, blood pressure and symptomatic responses are continuously monitored. If indicated, a follow-up exercise test is conducted to assess progress and modify exercise programs.

The Professional Team
Our interdisciplinary team of professionals includes nurses, exercise physiologists, dieticians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, social service workers and behavioral health specialists. Together with your physicians, a program is developed to meet your needs and abilities. While our program is the largest, most comprehensive in the state, we take pride in knowing the strengths and weaknesses, hopes and dreams of each of our clients.

Keeping Up the Good Work
Upon completion of the outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitations Program, we can help you transition your exercise program to continue at home, or at any local health club or YMCA. We will teach you how to monitor yourself so you can exercise safely and with peace of mind. From aerobic exercise to health-related lectures, our holistic approach to Cardiac Rehabilitation is geared toward you and your life.

Insurance Coverage
Major health insurance companies cover most components of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Check with your insurance carrier to insure eligibility for reimbursement.