If you’re recovering from a heart attack, heart disease or recent surgery, cardiac rehabilitation may be the right next step for you. Cardiac rehab is an outpatient program that’s customized to fit your needs through a combination of exercise and education.
Cardiac Rehab Program
At AdventHealth Cardiovascular Institute, we are committed to a recovery that not only strengthens your heart, but also changes your life. Our skilled specialists provide ongoing support through heart disease education, customized exercise plans, and one-on-one and group counseling.
When you begin cardiac rehab, we’ll help to establish a plan that’s tailored to your lifestyle and help you regain strength, provide preventive care, reduce your risk of heart health issues in the future and improve your everyday quality of life.
First, you’ll begin with a medical evaluation to check your physical abilities, limitations and medical conditions. Here we’ll ensure each next step is safe and effective for you. With a combination of low-impact exercise, such as walking, rowing or light jogging, your health care team will teach you techniques to improve your physical health.
You’ll also receive lifestyle education and support, such as teaching you how to follow a heart-healthy diet and helping you quit smoking, if need be. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, your team of experts will also provide guidance on how to best manage and treat these conditions.
Along with a serious medical condition or recent surgery may also come mixed emotions of anxiousness or depression. With cardiac rehab, you’ll also receive counseling support to check in on your mental health and help you get back to feeling your best.
Am I Eligible?
Cardiac rehab is a long-term program that varies for each individual situation. Some may see results sooner than others, and that’s perfectly ok. Our goal at the completion of the program is to see you walk away with the tools and education you need to live a happy, healthy lifestyle.
Several factors determine if you’re a good fit for our cardiac rehabilitation program, such as:
- You had a heart attack within the past year
- You had heart surgery
- You have angina
- You have chronic stable heart failure (CHF) with an ejection fraction (EF) of less than 36 percent
- You’ve been diagnosed with heart disease and have a prescription for rehabilitation from your physician
- You’ve had an angioplasty with or without stent
Learn More About Cardiac Rehab
If cardiac rehab sounds like a program you could benefit from, click here for more information. We will work with you to monitor your physical improvements and numbers like blood pressure, heart rhythm, pulse and exertion levels, and also provide access to small-group discussions and other support. With our team of certified nurses, physiologists, counselors and dieticians, you’ll have all the tools you need to recover to the best of your ability.
