Cardiology

Cardiac Rehabilitation Services

The Cardiac Rehabilitation department offers education and exercise therapy whose goal is to help cardiac patients recover quickly and return to work or active retirement. Three phases of cardiac rehabilitation are offered: inpatient (phase I), outpatient (phase II), and maintenance (phase III).

Our staff includes RNs with specialized education and experience in cardiac rehabilitation, under the direction of the patient's primary care physician or cardiologist. All staff have the AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification. Before a patient begins the outpatient program, insurance verification is done by the hospital business office, or authorization is obtained from your insurance company.

Phase I - Inpatient Program

The inpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation program offers individualized education for the patient and family. The goals of the program are to provide information about cardiovascular disease and treatments, risk factors, stress management, diet and activity to encourage lifestyle changes that will restore optimal level of functioning.

Phase II - Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Your first visit to cardiac rehabilitation will include an orientation and evaluation session for you and your family, which will provide you with education and a personal preview of the program, including a monitored exercise visit.

Weeks 1-6 (total number of exercise visits may vary due to insurance benefits for the Phase II program)
Visits to the department begin with monitored exercise therapy three times a week, under the supervision of RNs. It is necessary to exercise a least three times a week to improve your cardiovascular fitness. Exercise is conducted according to your individual exercise prescription and target heart rate. While you exercise, your electrocardiogram will be monitored continuously by telemetry (similar to a radio signal). Group education sessions are offered as part of the program, with individual diet counseling if desired. Family members are encouraged to participate in the educational sessions and are welcome to observe exercise classes.

Weeks 7-12 Exercise continues with increased, intensity, duration and modalities, three times a week.
Telemetry monitoring continues as well as the education sessions. The RNs will help you plan and begin an individualized home exercise program that you can do safely and effectively. Periodic reports are sent to your physicians, and they are contacted about your care if needed.

Phase III - Outpatient Maintenance Exercise Program

By now, exercise will have become an enjoyable habit, hopefully one that will be lifelong. You may wish to continue to exercise at home, join a gym, or join our Maintenance Exercise Program. You can continue your exercise program in a familiar, safe environment with periodic monitored exercise visits at a reasonable cost.

If you have any questions about the program, please call the department at 626-574-3422.