Cardiac rehab is an important program for anyone recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, or other heart problem that may have required surgery or medical care.
Cardiac rehab is a supervised program that includes physical activity, education about healthy living, including healthy eating, taking medicine as prescribed, and ways to help you quit smoking as well as counseling to find ways to relieve stress and improve mental health.
What are the benefits of cardiac rehab?
Cardiac rehab can have many benefits to your health in both the short and long-term, including:
- Strengthening your heart and body after a heart attack.
- Relieving symptoms of heart problems, such as chest pain.
- Building healthier habits, including getting more physical activity, quitting smoking, and eating a heart-healthy diet.
- Reducing stress and improving your mood. People are more likely to feel depressed after a heart attack. Cardiac rehab can help prevent and lessen depression.
- Increasing your energy and strength, making daily activities easier, such as carrying groceries and climbing stairs.
- Making you more likely to take your prescribed medicines that help lower your risk for future heart problems.
- Preventing future heart problems and death. Studies have found that cardiac rehab decreases the chances you will die in the five years following a heart attack or bypass surgery by around 20-30 percent
There are three levels to cardiac rehab:
Phase I
Cardiac Rehab
Exercise therapy provided on an inpatient basis to help initiate activity, monitor tolerance and teach basic home activity and exercises. Medicare, Medicaid and other insurances typically cover Phase I Cardiac Rehab.
Phase II
Cardiac Rehab
Exercise therapy provided on an outpatient basis. Patients are monitored and typically supervised. Therapists provide education on continuing recovery, activity and diet. Therapy typically occurs three times per week for 4-12 weeks. Medicare, Medicaid and other insurances typically cover Phase II Cardiac Rehab.
Phase III
Cardiac Rehab
Continuation of exercise therapy for outpatients with at least two coronary risk factors (e.g., obesity, history, age or high blood pressure.) Phase III is a maintenance program that typically occurs four times per week. Therapists visually monitor progress and look for possible health issues, which may need to be referred to your physician. Patients are not monitored electronically during exercises. Phase III Cardiac Rehab is on a self-pay basis.
To schedule, please call the HRMC Pro Rehab Centralized Scheduling department at (605) 353-6334.
If you are looking for information regarding specific services but do not need to make an appointment, please call the cardiac rehab department at (605) 353-6531.
