National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week is February 14-20. Cardiac Rehabilitation Week, initiated by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), coincides with both Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month in an effort to draw greater national attention to heart health.
What are the benefits of cardiac rehab?
Cardiac rehab helps patients:
- Eat better
- Lose weight
- Return to work & better engage in daily activities
- Reduce their risk of having another heart attack
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to improve your heart health after heart problems or surgery. It can take place at an outpatient clinic or in a hospital rehab center.
You don’t have to face heart disease alone. Cardiac rehab is a team effort that may include doctors, nurses, exercise specialists, dietitians, nutritionists, and others. Their goal is to help you make lifestyle choices to improve your heart health.
Who needs cardiac rehab?
You may benefit from rehab if you have or have had a:
- Heart attack in the last 12 months
- A heart condition, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), stable angina, or heart failure
- Peripheral artery disease
- Heart procedure or surgery, including:
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
- Angioplasty and stenting
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- Pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
- Heart transplant
What happens in a rehab program?
Many people find that rehab programs are very helpful after getting out of a hospital. They allow people to join a group to exercise and to get special help in making lifestyle changes. A cardiac rehab program usually includes 36 sessions over 12 weeks, but it can vary depending on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations.
During rehab, you will:
• Have a medical evaluation to figure out your needs and limitations. The medical staff then tailors a program to your needs.
• Exercise on a treadmill, bike, rowing machine, or walking/jogging track.
• Be monitored by a nurse or another health care professional for a change in symptoms.
• Follow a safe physical activity program that gradually improves your strength.
• Slowly move into a more intensive program that lets you work longer and harder.
• Begin strength training, if your doctor says you can.
• Have your heart rate, blood pressure and EKG monitored.
After you’ve completed the program, you may feel a lot better. It’s important to continue to make these lifestyle changes a part of your everyday life after rehab. Rehab can help you return to an active life, reduce your risk of further heart problems and improve your quality of life.
How else does a rehab program help me?
• You may go to classes or get help to quit smoking.
• A nutritionist will help you create a healthy eating plan.
• You’ll improve your fitness level.
• You’ll be weighed and advised on how to lose weight if you need to.
• You can learn relaxation skills to help manage and reduce stress.
• You may meet others who’ve been through a similar event.
Is cardiac rehab covered by insurance?
Medicare and most other insurance plans reimburse for cardiac rehab for the conditions discussed above. Check with your medical team and insurance company to confirm if cardiac rehab is covered under your plan.
