LiveSmart: Cardiac Rehabilitation – Helping More Than Just Your Heart

[Written by the St. Peter’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Team.]

If you have experienced a heart-related health issue, no matter your age, cardiac rehabilitation may be the next step to getting your life back and relieving some of the emotional stress you may be feeling. Younger patients, in particular, may have unique concerns about being able to get back to their vibrant and active lifestyles.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised exercise and education program for people recovering from a severe heart event. It is common to have lingering symptoms or tiredness that slow you down; or you may be fearful of complications that could send you back to the hospital.

At St. Peter’s, we believe in treating the whole person, addressing both your physical needs and the emotional challenges you may be facing. Cardiac rehabilitation can empower you to regain your strength, live a healthy lifestyle, improve your mood, and feel confident about your future.

The first step is to see if you qualify for a cardiac rehab program. We regularly treat people who:

• Are living with heart failure or a life-threatening cardiac condition
• Had a heart attack
• Are recovering from heart surgery, such as a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
• Underwent cardiac catheterization procedures, including valve or coronary stent replacements

You can take a free cardiac rehab assessment to see if you qualify for our program by visiting https://www.sphp.com/find-a-service-or-specialty/cardiovascular-care/cardiology/cardiac-rehabilitation.

If cardiac rehabilitation is right for you, here’s what to expect:

• Assessment – We learn more about your medical history and rehabilitation needs. We also check for mental health issues like anxiety or depression that could get in the way of your recovery.
• Personalized Exercise Plan – Our team will develop a plan based on your needs. They show you how to use cardio and strength-training equipment and adjust the plan based on your needs.
• Exercising – You exercise following your personalized plan. Members of our team check in with you to ensure your safety. Our friendly environment makes it easy to get to know other rehab patients and share stories.
• Education – You learn how to adopt healthy living habits. We discuss various topics, including nutrition, blood pressure control, and infection prevention. We also teach you how to modify your schedule so you can get more done without running out of energy.
• Referrals to Specialists – We refer you to other specialists if you might benefit from additional treatments or services. You may receive referrals to mental health specialists for anxiety, endocrinologists for diabetes management, and more.

Insurance typically covers cardiac rehab, so check with your insurance provider to confirm you are eligible. Financial assistance programs are available if you need help with out-of-pocket costs.

Our cardiac rehabilitation program is nationally certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. To learn more about our services, visit https://www.sphp.com/find-a-service-or-specialty/cardiovascular-care/cardiology/cardiopulmonary-rehabilitation.