Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
What is cardiac rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) is a program designed to help improve your overall health by identifying and reducing the risk factors that lead to cardiovascular disease.
The program promotes optimal life-style changes and medical management to:
- Prevent the occurrence and/or progression of cardiovascular disease
- Reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke
- Reduce the need for future surgery
- Enhance your quality of life by reducing symptoms
How will cardiac rehab help?
As a participant in the cardiac rehab program, you will work with an exercise physiologist or registered nurse who will help you meet your personal goals.
The goals of cardiac rehab are to:
- Increase your understanding about your condition and treatment
- Help you make the right lifestyle changes to decrease your risk of a heart attack or stroke and reduce the need for future surgery
- Increase your ability to perform your job and your daily or recreational activities
- Provide you and your family with the support and motivation you need to make important lifestyle changes
Who can benefit from cardiac rehab?
Cardiac rehab programs benefit patients who have:
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
- Interventional procedures such as balloon angioplasty, PTCA, atherectomy, rotoblation or stent placement
- Angina
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Heart failure
- Hemodynamic disorders, such as syncope
- Peripheral artery disease
- Other heart or vascular disorders
- Valve repair or replacement
- Aortic aneurysm repair or replacement
- Heart transplant
How do I get started in the cardiac rehab program?
Phase I Cardiac Rehab
During your hospital stay, a cardiac rehab specialist will direct your early activities. You will receive information about the recovery process and learn how to reduce your future risk of cardiovascular disease.
Phase II Cardiac Rehab
Soon after you are discharged from the hospital, you can enter the outpatient Phase II Cardiac Rehab program. Once your doctor has provided a referral, the rehab team can help you get started in the program.
Your first visit will include an exercise evaluation for safety, a discussion about exercise guidelines, a review of your medical history and an evaluation of your cardiovascular disease risk factors.
What does the program include?
- We will develop a plan with you and your family that includes strategies to help you make lifestyle changes and decrease your risks. The program will be tailored to your personal needs, abilities and interests.
- Patient and family education classes are provided every week along with individual education to help you achieve your personal goals. Detailed nutrition counseling is also available with our registered dietitian.
- The program will support the ongoing care provided by your referring doctor.
- We will track your progress throughout your participation in the program and report this information to you and your referring doctor.
Where will I go to participate in the program?
Cardiac rehab activity classes are offered at Cleveland Clinic.
All sessions are medically supervised and directed by nationally certified rehabilitation specialists and nurses. State-of-the-art monitoring equipment and a variety of exercise equipment are available for your safety and convenience.
Ongoing Management
In addition to the Cardiac Rehab program, you may participate in the Preventive Cardiology Clinic. This multispecialty clinic includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and other healthcare professionals from several departments, including cardiovascular medicine, endocrinology, hypertension, internal medicine, exercise physiology, psychology and nutrition therapy who are experts in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
The specialists in the Preventive Cardiology Clinic assess your risk of cardiovascular disease and create a plan to manage traditional and emerging risk factors. The team works with each patient individually, using research-based interventions and a variety of treatment methods.
Does insurance cover cardiac rehab?
Outpatient cardiac rehab is covered by most insurance companies. We can help you contact your insurance company to ask about your coverage options before you start the Phase II Cardiac Rehab program. Or you may call the financial counselor at 216.444.9434 or 800.223.2273 ext. 49434
Why attend the cardiac rehab Program?
- The program is part of the Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute, which has been ranked the #1 cardiac program since 1995 by U.S. News & World Report.
- Our program is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
- All Cleveland Clinic medical records are centralized, so you and your physicians have immediate access to your information.
- Participants in a comprehensive program have a 25 to 30% reduction in fatal heart events.
- Our participants have an average 25% increase in exercise capacity.
- You’ll receive a full medical evaluation, exercise test for safety and effectiveness, and we’ll create a program designed to meet your specific goals to help you reduce all risk factors for heart disease.
- Participants work with the same rehab staff member throughout the entire program.
- Staff members are certified exercise specialists and are certified in advanced cardiac life support.
- The program is integrated with the Preventive Cardiology program.
- An on-staff registered dietitian is available for consultations.
- Learn about choosing a cardiac rehabilitation program.
This information is provided by Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace
the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider.
Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.
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