Classes include information on nutrition, cardiac disease, stress management, exercise, smoking cessation, weight control, medication use, and cholesterol and blood pressure lowering. Other topics, such as diabetes management, are available as needed. The cardiac rehab team will design a personalized exercise program to increase activity safely. Exercise sessions are held three times a week and are monitored closely by registered nurses and exercise physiologists, both of whom work closely with the physician. Monitoring consists of EKG, blood pressure and clinical evaluations.
Exercise is important in the recovery process because it strengthens the heart and whole body.
Exercising in a safe environment increases the patient's confidence and sense of well being. An important part of recovery is support. The cardiac rehab team supports the patient and family with the emotional ups and downs during the recovery process. After completing the first two phases of cardiac rehabilitation, it is vitally important to continue a healthy lifestyle and a regular exercise program. Phase three of the program is available for patients who want to continue a program of exercise in a supervised setting.