|
Cardiac Rehabilitation is a program designed to help people with cardiovascular disease make gains and improve their quality of life.
The program consists of three phases; all of which are physician ordered. The staff includes registered nurses, who are BCLS/ACLS certified, and exercise specialists who are BCLS certified.
- Phase I begins during hospitalization. Daily exercise is performed with a member of the cardiac rehab staff. Cardiac education, home activity and exercise guidelines are given and discussed with the patient and family.
- Phase II is conducted in the physical therapy department at the hospital. It is a program for people who have had a cardiac procedure or event. During these sessions, heart rhythms are continuously monitored and blood pressures are measured before, during, and after each exercise session. Education classes are provided weekly.
- Phase III is a maintenance program. It is an exercise program designed to help continue good exercise habits. This program is conducted at the hospital and is supervised by a registered nurse, but patients are not on heart monitors. Blood pressures are periodically checked.
Cardiac rehab is for men and women of all ages.
Process of Getting Involved
Your physician will sign a doctor's order for you to participate. The cardiac rehab staff contacts you to schedule your initial appointment. The sessions are approximately one hour long, meeting either two days per week. The program usually lasts for 6-8 weeks, depending on each individual's activity level.
|
