CommunityHealth Fix

Actions

Cardiac Rehabilitation: What You Need To Know

Posted at 5:08 PM, Feb 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-11 19:08:50-05

Cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) is commonly recommended for patients who are recovering from heart attacks, heart failure, and heart surgery or other coronary procedures such as stenting or angioplasty. In a cardiac rehab program, patients work with healthcare professionals to accomplish the following:

  • Receive a medical evaluation to access needs and limitations
  • Personalize a rehabilitation program
  • Set up a physical activity schedule based on personal needs
  • Gain lifestyle education and heart condition management tools
  • Receive counseling, support, and additional resources

Benefits of Supervised Cardiac Rehab Programs

  • Improve physical activity level through supervised exercise programs
  • Reduce risk of heart disease or worsening heart conditions
  • Provide a variety of resources to help patients quit smoking, learn about nutrition, lose weight, and manage heart condition
  • Stress management
  • Gain advice and supervision from a team of healthcare professionals
  • Act as a line of communication between patient and primary care doctor

Cardiac rehab can help a patient rebuild and gain control of his or her life after a serious medical emergency or life-changing surgery. A cardiac rehab team helps patients become confident and stable enough to manage their heart conditions and make necessary lifestyle changes for better overall health. Cardiac rehab is a long-term—and sometime life-long—maintenance program that can improve quality of life.