Cardiac Rehabilitation at UPMC in Central Pa.

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute offers expert care to help you safely resume your daily activities after a cardiac event or procedure.

Why choose the UPMC in Central Pa. Cardiac Rehabilitation Program?

If you have had a cardiac event or a cardiac procedure, cardiac rehabilitation is a very important part of recovery. Our program offers the guidance and support you need to get stronger, stay active and feel confident throughout your recovery and beyond.

Evidence shows that patients who attend 18 to 24 cardiac rehabilitation sessions receive the most benefit and experience positive changes such as:

• Increased exercise and activity tolerance
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduced blood cholesterol
• Reduced body fat
• Quitting smoking
• An enhanced sense of well-being
• Greater self-confidence
• Fewer hospitalizations
• Reduced anxiety
• A better outlook on life

What Is Cardiac Rehab?

Cardiac rehabilitation, also known as cardiac rehab, is a program recommended for patients recovering from a heart attack, congestive heart failure or heart surgery. The program aims at helping the patient recover and regain control of their health.

Even though cardiac rehab cannot reverse the effects of heart problems, joining the program can go a long way toward improving the overall health of your heart and lowering the risk of future cardiac attacks.

What Is Involved in Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation entails various activities designed to help improve the health of your heart. You will partner with a team of doctors, pharmacists, nurses and nutritionists throughout the program.

Some of the most essential activities involved include:

• Exercise: Exercise is a vital part of the rehab program. It aims to get your heart pumping efficiently.
• Education: You will learn how to manage risk factors, the importance of heart-healthy nutrition and how to overcome challenges that affect the health of your heart.
• Counseling: Patients with heart problems often endure a lot of stress. Stress can negatively impact your heart's health, so counseling is very important as a means for dealing with stress, tension and anxiety.

What Are the Phases of Cardiac Rehab?

Cardiac rehabilitation has three phases:

• Phase I: Phase I starts at the hospital while the patient is hospitalized. During this phase, you will learn how to manage risk factors, identify heart attacks symptoms and carry out daily weight checks along with various exercise guidelines.
• Phase II: Phase II begins immediately after you have been discharged from the hospital. The doctor will schedule several visits to the cardiac rehabilitation department to monitor how your heart responds to various exercises and physical activities.
• Phase III: Phase III is the last stage of the program. This phase requires you to visit the cardiac department for supervised, non-monitored activities. The doctor will then recommend various home exercise guidelines at the end of the phase.

Who Is Eligible for Cardiac Rehab?

Anyone with a history of heart problems is eligible for cardiac rehabilitation. You may benefit from this program if you have experienced any of the following conditions:

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart failure
• Heart attack
• Heart surgery

What Are the Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Some of the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation include:

• Lowering the risk of future heart problems: The main objective of cardiac rehabilitation is to reduce the risk of a recurring heart attack or heart problem. The program helps strengthen your heart after an attack.
• Helping with weight management: One of the main causes of heart problems is excess weight. Through the program, you will get to engage in various exercises and physical activities to help reduce your weight.
• Understanding what to include in a proper diet: Good food is essential for a healthy heart. During the program, you will work with a dietitian who will recommend healthy foods that are ideal for your heart.
• Allowing you to engage in daily activities: Cardiac rehabilitation restores normalcy. You will be better able to participate in activities that you missed and even return to work feeling stronger and healthier.

Conditions We Treat

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is an outpatient progressive exercise and education program designed to help patients recovering from recent cardiovascular-related operations or problems such as:

• Bypass surgery
• Angioplasty or cardiac catheterization
• Valve replacement or repair
• Heart attack
• Angina (chest pain)
• Congestive heart failure
• A diagnosis of being at risk for cardiac problems

Our Services

During cardiac rehabilitation, you will attend exercise therapy sessions three times a week in a supervised exercise setting. You will be closely monitored while performing your exercise program, which is customized for their unique needs. For example, your exercise program might include resistance training and the use of equipment, including:

• Stationary bicycles
• Arm ergometry
• Treadmills
• Steps
• Arm weights
• Pulleys

As part of our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, our cardiac care experts provide education to help you learn about your heart condition and how to manage your risk factor(s) to promote better health. You and your loved ones will meet regularly with a member of your cardiac rehabilitation team to discuss your progress and establish future goals.

How Can We Help?

If you or a loved one has had a cardiac event or procedure, our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program can provide support to ensure a safe recovery. For more information or to set up a consultation, call us at 717-441-3137 (Wormleysburg location), 717-920-4470 (Harrisburg location), or 717-316-2158 (Hanover location).

Need more information?

Harrisburg: 717-920-4470
Wormleysburg: 717-441-3137
Hanover: 717-316-2158
Lititz: 717-625-5055

Locations

PinnacleHealth Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
Part of PinnacleHealth Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
1000 North Front Street
Suite 100
Wormleysburg, PA 17043
Phone: 717-441-3137
Fax: 717-441-3138

PinnacleHealth Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
Part of PinnacleHealth Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
2808 Old Post Road
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: 717-920-4470
Fax: 717-920-4471

Memorial Cardiac Rehabilitation
Located at Outpatient Services at UPMC Memorial
1703 Innovation Drive
Suite 4200
York, PA 17408
Phone: 717-815-2650
Fax: 717-801-0673

UPMC Hanover Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
Located at UPMC Hanover
300 Highland Avenue
Second Floor
Hanover, PA 17331
Phone: 717-316-2158
Fax: 717-316-2278

UPMC Lititz Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
1575 Highlands Drive
Building B, Suite 201
Lititz, PA 17543
Cardiac Rehab: 717-625-5055
Pulmonary Rehab: 717-625-5056
Fax: 717-568-8926