St. Rita's Cardiac Rehabilitation program offers a structured, monitored program
of exercise to help you achieve an active lifestyle. St. Rita's program is
accredited by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
(AACVPR). The program is designed to strengthen the heart's ability to pump
oxygen-rich blood throughout the body every time it beats.
St. Rita's Cardiac Rehabilitation Program includes individualized physical
activity, monitoring, testing and education. A cardiac rehabilitation program
can help improve a patient's overall quality of life through improved strength,
greater confidence in their physical activities and a successful and smooth
transition back to work.
Patients enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program can also benefit from
having a qualified staff monitoring their exercising. Dieticians are available
for consultation to the patient concerning their diet needs.
There are four phases of cardiac rehabilitation. Phase One begins while the
patient is still hospitalized.
Before a patient undergoes a cardiac surgery, a member of the cardiac rehab
team will meet with the patient and their family. The team will provide education
for the patient about how cardiac rehab will assist them in their recovery
from surgery and answer any questions the patient and their family may have.
The first day after surgery, the cardiac rehabilitation team will visit the
patient in their room to begin working with them. Throughout all exercise sessions,
the therapist will monitor the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, heart
rhythm, rate of perceived exertion, oxygen saturation and exercise tolerance.
The therapist will work with the patient in their hospital room on the following
activities:
- Teach Patient How to Get In/Out of Bed
- Teach Patient How to Get In/Out of a Chair
- Demonstrate How To/Leading Patient in Exercises to Help Increase
Strength and Range of Motion (The patient should continue these exercises
at their own pace.)
- Assist the Patient Walking Based on Tolerance
- Providing Instructions to the Patient and Family for Exercise
at Home (Patients will learn how to monitor their pulse, symptoms of exercise
intolerance and the guidelines for exercising at home.)
For information on the additional three outpatient cardiac rehab phases,
click here.
