Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab

Discover Rehab at a Healthy Pace

Recovery looks different for everyone. That’s why we take a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates time-tested techniques and whole-person care. All you need to bring is a positive attitude and an open mind. We’ll provide the exercise therapy, education and support to help you reach your goals.

Our exercise therapists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, nurses, educators and dietitians will work closely with your doctor to create and tailor your rehabilitation plan to your needs. Let us help you feel whole and reclaim your life.

World-Class Expertise, Wholehearted Care

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  • Nationally Certified Program

    Our comprehensive program is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) for high quality and successful outcomes.

  • Highly Skilled Medical Specialists

    With us, you have the support and expertise of a multidisciplinary team of registered nurses, physiologists, dietitians and counselors committed to your whole health.

  • Personalized Care Plans

    Our whole-person care approach to recovery is designed to treat the full range of your physical, mental and emotional needs, from education and exercise to counseling and therapy.

Rehabilitation Treatments and Programs That Are Right for You

Whether you come to us for pulmonary or cardiac rehabilitation, we’re here to help make your recovery process smooth and successful through personalized treatment and heart-to-heart care. We also work with patients who are managing diabetes, peripheral artery disease and obesity, helping them feel whole in more ways than one.

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Teaming Up to Help You Feel Whole

Our goal is to provide the highest quality exercise therapy, education and support for cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions. We're here to support you as your partners in health, ready with education, inspiration and encouragement to help you overcome cardiac disease and live your best life.

Answering Your Questions About Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab

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  • Question: Who qualifies for cardiac and pulmonary rehab?

    Answer:

    Our cardiac rehab and intensive cardiac rehab (ICR) programs are designed for people who have had:

    • A heart attack within the last 12 months
    • Coronary angioplasty or coronary stenting
    • Coronary artery bypass surgery
    • Current stable angina
    • Heart or lung transplant
    • Heart valve repair or replacement
    • Stable and chronic heart failure
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    Pulmonary rehab is designed for patients who have a lung or respiratory disease or condition, such as:

    • Asthma
    • Bronchiectasis
    • Chronic bronchitis
    • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
    • Cystic fibrosis
    • Emphysema
    • Interstitial lung disease, like sarcoidosis and pulmonary fibrosis
    • Lung cancer
    • Lung transplant or lung surgery recovery
    • Pulmonary hypertension

    For both programs, you must have written approval from your doctor before starting. During rehab, your doctor will maintain primary responsibility for your care and will be updated on your progress. If you’re a new patient, you’ll have an initial evaluation before you begin.

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  • Question: Do I need a referral?

    Answer:

    Yes, a physician’s referral is required to get started with one of our outpatient cardiac or pulmonary rehab programs.

  • Question: Does insurance cover cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs?

    Answer:

    Insurance coverage for cardiac rehab and intensive cardiac rehab (ICR) varies by plan. Typically, Medicare and most other insurers provide reimbursement after confirming that you have a qualifying condition. However, it is your responsibility as a patient to verify coverage with your insurance company before starting any program.

  • Question: What is intensive cardiac rehab, and how is it different from standard cardiac rehab?

    Answer:

    Intensive cardiac rehab is a 72-session medically supervised rehab program that combines exercise, nutrition education and lifestyle modification to reverse heart disease progression or improve heart conditions.

    It differs from standard cardiac rehab by taking a more holistic approach to heart health. ICR goes beyond physical recovery, teaching people the skills to lead a heart-healthy life through plant-based cooking demonstrations, workshops on mental health and more. ICR has been shown to be more effective than traditional cardiac rehab in improving people’s lifestyle habits, weight management and quality of life.

  • Question: When should I start rehab after a heart attack, stent, surgery or heart diagnosis?

    Answer:

    Typically, an evaluation can be scheduled two weeks after a heart attack or stent placement and four weeks after open-heart surgery. Members of our cardiac rehab team may meet with you during your hospital stay to help you start walking again and strengthen your arms and legs. If you have a referral from your doctor for outpatient cardiac rehab, one of our team members will meet with you before you leave the hospital to set a date and time for your orientation appointment.

  • Question: What happens during a cardiac or pulmonary rehab session?

    Answer:

    Our cardiac and pulmonary rehab programs are designed to extend the care of your physicians, with our exercise physiologists empowering you to gradually regain your physical and emotional strength.

    Cardiac rehab involves exercise and patient education:

    • Exercise: Patients are monitored with telemetry during cardio exercise, like riding a stationary bike or walking on a treadmill. Clinical staff will monitor blood pressure before and after exercise, while watching heart rate and rhythm, too.
    • Education: Patients attend classes that focus on adopting and living a heart-healthy lifestyle, exercising safely and effectively, healthy nutrition and attaining a healthy mindset as they recover.

    If you’re living with a lung condition, our respiratory therapists will help you manage, control and alleviate the symptoms and stresses associated with a lung disease or chronic pulmonary conditions. Our pulmonary rehab offers a combination of exercise, support and education to help you learn how to breathe easier.

    Pulmonary rehab activities may include:

    • Breathing exercises
    • Bronchial hygiene (clearing airways) education
    • Building strength and stamina
    • Education on modifying everyday activities

    In both programs, we’ll closely monitor your heart rate while exercising, your heart rhythm, oxygen level and blood pressure. And at every step, we focus on more than just your physical health. Our cardiac and pulmonary rehab specialists also focus on your mental and emotional well-being, surrounding you with support and encouragement as you regain your strength.

  • Question: How does peripheral artery disease rehab help leg pain and improve walking?

    Answer:

    People with PAD in the legs live with severe muscle pain, cramping and tiredness in the calves, thighs and hips when walking. Through PAD rehab, we’ll work with you to slowly and carefully build up your endurance by walking on a treadmill. Over time, this kind of consistent physical activity can greatly reduce leg pain, help you walk farther and slow the progression of the disease, too.

  • Question: Will pulmonary rehab help me breathe better with COPD or other lung disease?

    Answer:

    Yes, pulmonary rehab is designed to help you breathe better if you’re living with COPD, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, or a non-COPD lung condition like interstitial lung disease, asthma or pulmonary fibrosis. Our therapists and exercise physiologists will help you build your lung capacity and breathe better through:

    • Breathing retraining exercises
    • Breathing techniques like pursed-lip breathing
    • Finding and practicing sustainable exercises
    • Motivation and encouragement with each session
  • Question: How long do these rehab programs last, and how many sessions will I need?

    Answer:

    With standard cardiac rehab, health insurance plans typically cover a 12-week program consisting of 72 sessions. If you’re doing intensive cardiac rehab (ICR), it’s also designed to be a 72-session program.

Find Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab Care Near You

When you’re ready to regain your rhythm, we’ll help you do so at a safe, healthy pace. Let our experts within the AdventHealth Cardiovascular Institute network guide your next steps. We’re here with regular and intensive cardiac rehab, pulmonary rehab and specific care for peripheral artery disease, too — all coordinated through a unified national network. Explore our locations or let our team guide you to the one that’s right for you.