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Heart & Vascular

Cardiac Wellness & Rehabilitation

Living...The Heart Healthy Way
Cardiac Wellness and Rehabilitation is a comprehensive prevention and recovery program individually designed for those with heart disease or at risk for heart disease. Through monitored exercise, education and emotional support, the Heart & Vascular Center's multidisciplinary team of health professionals will help you attain an active and productive life, while greatly reducing your risk of further cardiovascular problems.

If you have any of the following, you can benefit from the Cardiac Wellness and Rehabilitation program.

• Heart attack
• Heart surgery
• Angioplasty
• Angina pectoris (chest pain)
• Irregular heart rhythm requiring medication
• Risks for developing coronary artery disease (i.e. high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, family history, inactive lifestyle)

Inpatient Rehabilitation (Phase I)
If you are admitted to Saint Alphonsus for cardiovascular problems, Phase I begins early during your hospital stay. Information on the functioning of your heart, diagnosis, related risk factors and recommended changes in your lifestyle are presented. Low level activity is monitored by Heart Center staff. Discharge information is provided to assist with your early recovery at home.

Outpatient Rehabilitation (Phase II)
This is an outpatient program consisting of exercise, education and emotional support. Our cardiac rehabilitation staff will meet with you to identify your individual needs and goals, and a “personal health plan” is developed by our rehabilitation staff in consultation with you and your physician.

Exercise
A personalized exercise program is prescribed to safely increase your activity levels. Each week you will participate in three closely-monitored exercise sessions that include cardiac monitoring, blood pressure measurement and clinical evaluation. As your recovery progresses, home sessions may be added.

Education
Learning about heart disease management and living heart healthy is a crucial part of your recovery process and key in preventing future problems. Each week, classes on heart-related topics are presented that include the following:

• Exercise
• Low fat and low-cholesterol meal planning
• Sodium and salt in your diet
• Heart function
• Process of heart disease
• Stress management
• Medications
• Cardiac risk factors
• Weight management
• Smoking cessation

Support
Every week the Heart & Vascular Center provides a forum for group meetings of heart patients and those at risk. Talking with others who share your experience can provide new ways of coping with and understanding the rehabilitative process. These sessions are informal and facilitated by the rehabilitation team.

Heart Healthy for Life (Phase III)
After you have completed the first two phases of cardiac rehabilitation, it is vital that you maintain your recovery. Key to this is continued regular exercise and health maintenance in all other aspects of your lifestyle. In Phase III, a medically-supervised exercise program is provided for you, as well as assistance for other heart healthy habits. Anyone who needs to reduce risk factors for heart disease will find Phase III helpful.

The Heart & Vascular Center's Cardiac Wellness and Rehabilitation program is medically-prescribed and supervised, and therefore is covered by Medicare and many insurance programs. Call your insurance company to check your coverage. Our rehabilitation staff will assist you with this upon request.

For more information, please call the Heart and Vascular Center at 208-367-2700.

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