Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiac and lung problems recover faster and improve their quality of life.

Both programs include exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families. The cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation team consists of the participant, the family, physician, nurse, physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, dietitian, respiratory therapist, psychologist, occupational therapist, pharmacist and chaplain.

Participants are encouraged to assume the major responsibility for their health. Using the team approach, participants can enhance the quality of their lives and achieve the independence of self-care through education, risk factor modification, and regular exercise. With the team approach, participants needs for counseling and education are individualized.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Almost anyone with heart trouble can benefit from cardiac rehab. Some common heart problems include heart attack, angina, heart failure, angioplasty, stent and coronary bypass surgery. Cardiac rehab is a safe and effective way to help you feel better faster, get stronger, reduce stress, reduce your risk of future heart problems, and live longer. No one is too young or too old. Women and men benefit equally from cardiac rehab.

How Does Cardiac Rehab Work?

Cardiac rehab has two major components: exercise training and education/counseling. Exercise training strengthens muscles, improves stamina and teaches the participant how to exercise safely. Education/counseling provides information about heart conditions and ways to reduce the risk of future heart problems. Cardiac rehab usually occurs in groups, but each participant's plan is based on the individual's specific risk factors and special needs.

Phases of Cardiac Rehab

Cardiac rehab begins in the hospital with Phase I, which includes education. This session is for persons who have undergone heart surgery or have had a heart attack and include guidelines for continued home exercise.

Phase II occurs in the outpatient setting usually soon after discharge from the hospital. This intensive outpatient phase includes closely supervised, telemetry-monitored small group exercise sessions; education and counseling on risk factors; and individualized exercise programs. Phase II is offered three days per week, up to twelve weeks and includes regular reports to the referring physician.

Phase III is a supervised but non-monitored exercise program in the fitness facility. This is a more independent rehabilitation, beginning after the completion of Phase II. The focus of this program is aerobic exercise, but it can include strength training if appropriate for the participant.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Almost anyone with lung problems can benefit from pulmonary rehab. Some common lung problems include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB), emphysema and asthma. Pulmonary rehab is a safe and effective way to help the participant feel better faster, get stronger, reduce stress and improve the overall quality of life.

How Does Pulmonary Rehab Work?

Pulmonary rehab has two major components: exercise training and education/counseling. Exercise training strengthens muscles, improves stamina and teaches the participant how to exercise safely with less breathing effort. Education/counseling provides information about lung conditions and ways to reduce the risk of future lung problems. The rehab team teaches the participant how to cope with lung problems and how to deal with fears about the future. Pulmonary rehab usually occurs in small groups, but each participant's plan is based on the individual's specific needs.

Phases of Pulmonary Rehab

Pulmonary rehab occurs in the outpatient setting and is referred to as Phase II. This phase includes intensive closely supervised, telemetry-monitored small group exercise sessions; education including breathing retraining; oxygen saturation monitoring; and individualized exercise programs. Phase II is offered two days per week, up to six weeks and includes regular reports to the referring physician.

Phase III is a maintenance exercise program in the fitness facility that is supervised by the rehab staff. This is a non-monitored, more independent rehabilitation, beginning after the completion of Phase II. The focus of this program is aerobic exercise, but it can include strength training if appropriate for the participant. Oxygen saturation monitoring is available.