Cardiac Rehabilitation
Our comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Program helps people recovering from heart disease—and those at risk—regain their health and achieve a normal, healthy lifestyle. The program is recognized by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation for its commitment to improving the quality of life by enhancing standards of care and for offering the most advanced practices available.
Through a carefully designed blend of exercise therapy, education, and support we can help you recover faster, reduce your risk of future heart problems, and give you more energy to do the things you enjoy.
Our multidisciplinary rehabilitation team includes a physician, advance-practice cardiac nurses, exercise physiologists, educators and registered dietitians—each contributing their expertise to ensure your successful recovery.
Important patient forms
- If you are a new patient, please complete this questionnaire and bring it to your appointment.
- If you had your procedure with another health care provider, please complete the Authorization Requesting Medical Records from Outside Facility form.
- Living Well with Heart Failure: Education and Discharge Information. Download guide here.
Rehabbing Injured Hearts
This year, nearly 800,000 Americans will have a heart attack and another 550,000 will receive a diagnosis of heart failure.
Numerous studies show those who participate in cardiac rehabilitation have lower rates of death and a higher quality of life, including more energy, lower rates of depression and a more successful recovery. “The data is clear: cardiac rehabilitation helps people live longer and do better,” explains Jesus Vera, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist at St. Jude.
Just ask Matt. After successful quadruple heart bypass surgery, Matt spent five days in the Critical Care and Cardiac Units before beginning his journey back to health with the help of Cardiac Rehabilitation.
If you're just recovering from a cardiac event, walking on a treadmill may be the last thing you're interested in. But we can help you through the fear and anxiety—as you find yourself gaining strength, learning heart-healthy behaviors and feeling dramatically better.
Our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is designed to benefit adults of all ages and fitness levels who have experienced any of the following:
- Heart attack
- Cardiac surgery
- Balloon angioplasty
- Coronary atherectomy
- Stent placement
- Cardiomyopathy
- Stable angina
- Heart failure
- Heart transplant
Our highly successful three-phase program begins immediately following a cardiac event and continues as necessary. Phases One and Two are typically covered by Medicare and most insurance plans, while Phase Three is a fee-based program. To enroll or get more information, please call us at 714-992-3000 ext. 3789.
Phase One
Beginning while you're in the hospital recovering from surgery or a cardiac event, our inpatient rehabilitation staff will help you and your family understand the most important aspects of recovery and prepare you for discharge. You and your family will receive individualized instruction about heart disease and its warning signs, how to take your medications, proper nutrition, how to exercise, and stress management. Prior to discharge, we'll outline a home exercise program to help you get started on returning to an active, healthier lifestyle.
Phase Two
An outpatient program and requires a physician referral. You'll begin a closely monitored physical conditioning program—using treadmills, recumbent bikes and specially designed equipment—to improve your heart function and overall health. This is not a "one size fits all" approach. Under the direction of a physician, our exercise physiologists and advance-practice nurses will design a program tailored to your needs. You'll participate in monitored exercise sessions three times a week, gradually increasing your goals and accomplishments.
Ongoing education and group classes provide you with the skills to succeed, including: heart-healthy eating, medication management, stress reduction, and proper exercise. Any complications are immediately reported to your physician and progress reports are shared at the program's conclusion. Most of our patients find they feel better and are more active than ever before. Once you've completed Phase Two, you can build on your success by moving to Phase Three or we can refer you to appropriate community resources.
Phase Three
A program that allows you to continue exercising and improving your health with less intensive supervision. Here we'll help you continue your long-term exercise program—something you can follow the rest of your life and provide ongoing support for your lifestyle changes. Enjoy the best of both worlds with guidance and support from our therapists and cardiac nurses, as well as the equipment and energy level of a fitness center.
You can remain in our Phase Three program up to three months or as necessary. Our friendly, supportive environment makes continuing to exercise regularly easy while transitioning to independence.