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.
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:
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.
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 is a vital part of the rehab program. It aims to get your heart pumping efficiently.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Some of the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation include:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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