Cardiac Rehabilitation
What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive program designed to help individuals recover from a heart-related event, such as a heart attack, heart surgery, or the diagnosis of a heart condition. It focuses on improving cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of future heart problems, and enhancing overall well-being. Cardiac rehabilitation programs typically involve a multidisciplinary approach that includes healthcare professionals from various specialties, including doctors, nurses, exercise specialists, dietitians, and psychologists.
Why do I Need Cardiac Rehab?
Cardiac Rehabilitation program will arm you with the tools and information you need to continue building on the good habits you’ve worked so hard to establish.
Cardiac Rehab Usually Includes:
Participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program has been shown to improve quality of life, reduce hospital readmissions, decrease mortality rates, and enhance overall cardiovascular health outcomes. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine if cardiac rehabilitation is appropriate for you and to find a program that meets your specific needs.
Physical activity and exercise training
A structured exercise program tailored to individual needs and capabilities is a central aspect of cardiac rehabilitation. It aims to improve cardiovascular fitness, strength, and endurance. Participants are guided through safe and appropriate exercise routines, which may include aerobic exercises, resistance training, and flexibility exercises.
Education and Counseling
Cardiac rehabilitation provides education about heart health, risk factor management, medication usage, and lifestyle modifications. Participants learn about healthy eating, smoking cessation, stress management, and strategies to improve overall heart health. Counseling and support are also provided to address psychological, emotional, and social aspects of recovery.
Risk Factor Nodification
Cardiac rehabilitation programs emphasize the management of risk factors that contribute to heart disease. This may involve addressing high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity, and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Participants receive guidance on making necessary lifestyle changes, adopting a heart-healthy diet, and adhering to prescribed medications.
Psychosocial Support
Emotional well-being is an integral part of cardiac rehabilitation. Programs offer support and counseling to address anxiety, depression, and other psychological challenges that may arise following a heart event. Social support, peer interaction, and group therapy may also be provided to foster emotional recovery.
Lifestyle Counseling
Cardiac rehabilitation encourages individuals to adopt and maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle. Participants receive guidance on stress management techniques, smoking cessation strategies, weight management, and strategies for long-term behavior change.
Follow-up Care
Cardiac rehabilitation programs often include a period of post-rehabilitation follow-up to monitor progress, provide ongoing support, and assess long-term adherence to lifestyle changes. This may involve periodic check-ups, additional education, and support as needed.
Living with heart disease
Being diagnosed with heart disease can be difficult for you and your family. Knowing what to expect will help you better deal with the challenges that lie ahead.
Risk & prevention
Several health conditions, your lifestyle, and your age and family history can increase your risk for heart disease. These are called risk factors. About half of all Americans (47%) have at least 1 of 3 key risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking.
Lifestyle risk factors
What behaviors increase the risk of heart disease? Your lifestyle can increase your risk for heart disease.
Commonly experienced heart failure symptoms
Life with heart failure can look different from person to person. Severity, type of heart failure, and treatment plans can all vary. Heart failure also comes with a wide range of symptoms.
Heart failure in women
More women than men die of heart disease each year. This is due in part to the fact that heart disease and its risk factors are often not noticed in women
Information you can use
Sign up to receive updates from One Heart Network™ — from heart health tips, research updates and breaking news to support and more.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Services apply.