Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac Rehabilitation, commonly called cardiac rehab, is a supervised, individualized exercise and education program for those with heart disease. An outpatient service at Good Shepherd Hospital, it is a critical step to full recovery. Physician referral is required for entry.
Why?
The purpose of cardiac rehab is to give patients the tools, knowledge and motivation needed to fight the progression of cardiovascular disease. The primary goal is to enable patients to reach their optimal physical, psychosocial and social functioning through exercise training and lifestyle change.
What?
Cardiac rehab includes prescribed exercise to improve cardiovascular fitness (without exceeding safe limits) and education about cardiovascular risk factors. The education program, along with referral to other outpatient services, focuses on ways to slow the progression of heart disease.
Topics include:
- smoking cessation
- lipid management
- hypertension
- weight loss
- diabetes
- safety
- healthy eating habits
- psychological well-being/stress management
- ...and more!
Who?
Cardiac rehab benefits individuals with a history of:
- heart attack
- coronary artery bypass graft surgery
- stable angina
- heart valve repair or replacement
- PTCA or coronary stenting
- heart transplant
- heart failure with or without ventricular assist devices
- those with peripheral artery disease.
Cardiac rehab is generally covered by most health insurance companies with an order from a physician.