Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Treating Heart and Lung Disease with Exercise and Education

Memorial Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation is staffed by a team of health professionals who provide patients with the exercise and health education necessary to overcome the challenges of heart and lung disease. Cardiac Rehabilitation includes exercise, education, and encouragement for patients with heart disease. The staff will help develop a program based on your individual needs.

Eligibility

You may be eligible to participate in Cardiac or Pulmonary Rehabilitation if you have had a heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, stable angina, or other cardiac condition and have a physician referral.

You may be eligible to participate in Pulmonary Rehabilitation if you have chronic obstructive or restrictive pulmonary disease and have a physician referral.

Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab Services

Most patients wishing to participate in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation are able to begin within four to six weeks after surgery or a heart attack.

Participation typically begins with an intake evaluation that includes measurement of cardiac risk factors such as lipid measures, blood pressure, body weight, and smoking status. During exercise, the patient’s heart rate and blood pressure are monitored to check the intensity of activity.

Short- and long-term risk factors and goals are established, and patients are closely monitored by staff who may be a cardiac-trained Registered Nurse or an exercise physiologist. A dietitian helps create a healthy eating plan, and a counselor may help to alleviate stress or, for smokers, may give counseling on how to quit.

Memorial Fitness Center

Memorial Fitness Center is staffed by a team of professionals who provide participants with the exercise and health education necessary to achieve a healthy lifestyle. The benefits of physical fitness cannot be overemphasized. Regular exercise provides cardiovascular, skeletal and emotional benefits. Find out more about our Fitness Center.

Benefits of Cardiac Rehab

Cardiac patients will benefit by:

Exercise

• Participating in group exercise sessions or a home program based on your individual need, medical condition and physical ability
• Receiving a personalized home exercise program and activity progression guidelines that include work and leisure activities

Education

• Learning to recognize heart disease signs and symptoms and when to seek medical treatment
• Learning ways to reduce risk factors through exercise, diet and smoking cessation
• Learning more about the medications you may be taking
• Preparing for your return to work or active retirement

Encouragement

• Having health professionals available to listen to your concerns and answer your questions
• Encouraging family and friends to attend the group education sessions and to take an active part in learning about heart disease
• Sharing similar concerns and receiving support from other patients and families experiencing heart disease

Benefits of Pulmonary Rehab

Pulmonary patients will benefit by:

Exercise

• Increasing your activity tolerance to help you in everyday life and encouraging a more active lifestyle
• Preparing for your return to work or active retirement

Education

• Learning to control and reduce the symptoms and complications of lung disease
• Learning ways to cope with the challenges of living with chronic lung disease
• Recognizing impending lung complications and when to seek medical treatment
• Developing personal plans that promote independence

Encouragement

• Having health professionals available to listen to your concerns and answer your questions
• Encouraging family and friends to attend the group education sessions and take an active part in learning about lung disease
• Sharing similar concerns and receiving support from other patients and families experiencing lung disease

Get Started With Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation

In order to participate in an outpatient program, the patient must first obtain a physician’s referral. For more information on Memorial Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab, call (228) 575-2475.