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What Is Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation, also known as "cardiac rehab," is a program of services that helpspeople recover from heart disease. People who follow a cardiac rehab program feel better, live longer, and lead healthier lives.

Heart patients who benefit include those who have had:

  • a heart attack or other forms of heart disease, such as angina
  • bypass surgery, coronary angioplasty, stent placement or other heart surgery
  • a heart transplant

Cardiac rehab programs focus on exercise, education, counseling, and behavior change. Exercise is usually done in a group setting, but is personalized to each patient's specific need.

Education focuses on managing heart disease, meeting dietary goals, understanding self-management, and following a treatment plan. Counseling identifies high-risk behaviors. Behavior change skills are taught on how to adopt low risk healthy behaviors.

Cardiac rehab programs are crucial for recovery. A program may be started when a heart disease patient is in the hospital and last from several weeks to several months. The rehab team is made up of nurses, doctors, therapists, dietitians, and other specialists. It is very important to adhere to instructions, ask questions, and report any symptoms. Heart monitoring is always available. Be sure to check with your insurance company before starting a cardiac rehab program to find out what benefits you have.

For more information, speak with your health care provider. If your health care provider would like to refer you to a cardiologist, ask for a referral to a Saint Vincent Heart Center cardiac specialist. Information is also available by contacting your local chapter of the American Heart Association or call the national office at (800) 242-8721 or visit their website at www.americanheart.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. HIL File CARD4291.RF2 VRS# 6101 Data Version 7.0
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