After suffering any cardiac event, patients can take charge of their
health through cardiac rehabilitation at St. Rita's Medical Center. St.
Rita's Cardiac Rehabilitation program offers a structured, monitored program
of exercise to help you achieve an active lifestyle for patients with coronary
heart disease, angina or those recovering from a heart attack, open-heart
surgery or angioplasty. 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.
Cardiac rehab patients progress through four phases of the program. Phase
I is an inpatient service. Click here to
find more information.
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During Phase II, the patient begins the outpatient portion of the program.
It is designed to initiate a lifetime program of exercise.
Prior to beginning Phase II, an exercise
test is performed which involves walking on a treadmill while an electrocardiogram
(EKG) is administered and blood pressure is monitored. The purpose
of the test is to determine the level of activity the patient can handle
safely. |
Upon completion of Phase II, once the exercise test has been performed, the patient may move on to Phase III and IV
which is located in
the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at 830 W. High Street to exercise
for one hour, three times a week.
The goals of Phase II cardiac rehabilitation include:
- Determine
How Far the Patient Can Safely Push Themselves
- Continue
Learning About Heart Disease and Its Risk Factors
- Continue
Learning About Good Dietary Habits
- Gradually
Reach a Physical Activity Level That is Comfortable for the Patient
- Preparation for returning to work
Phase II cardiac rehabilitation provides a structured, supervised exercise
program for patients to increase their physical endurance and strength.
Patients exercise using treadmills, rowing machines, airdyne bicycles
using their arm and leg strength together and hand weights.
Patients in Phase II cardiac rehabilitation have continuous heart monitoring
and blood pressure checks performed by registered nurses and exercise
physiologists while they are exercising. There are also weekly educational
sessions, relaxation and complementary medicine sessions. Scar work and
reflexology are also available by appointment.
Phases III and IV cardiac rehabilitation are a continuation of the exercise
program from Phase II. An exercise physiologist creates an individualized
exercise plan for each participant based on the results of a stress test
taken within the last six months. The exercise plan determines the level
of intensity, speeds and target heart rate for the patient.
Staffed by a registered nurse at all times with the assistance of either
an exercise physiologist or respiratory therapist, the patient's blood
pressures and heart rhythm are checked at rest and
during their highest level of exercise intensity.
Massage therapy, scar work, reflexology and dietary consults are available
at the patient's request. Massage is found to decrease muscular pain
and discomfort, encourage healing in addition to providing relaxation
and stress management. Scar work is used to also decrease pain, discomfort,
muscle aches and pains. Scar work helps in the healing process by decreasing
the appearance of the scar and to release adhesions. Reflexology is used
to support the body in the healing process by easing tension, increasing
circulation and promotes relaxation and stress management. St. Rita's
Medical Center also offers an aquatic therapy pool for patients who have
vascular and/or joint problems or where aquatic therapy would be more
appropriate based on their medical condition.
Patients may attend Phase III and IV Cardiac Rehabilitation as long
as they wish or until they feel they are ready to exercise on their own.
To continue in the program patients must have an annual or semi-annual
stress test.
Unfortunately, most insurance companies do not normally cover Phase
III and IV Cardiac Rehabilitation. However, St. Rita's Medical Center
offers this service at an extremely reasonable cost. The overall goal
of cardiac rehabilitation during all four phases is to encourage patients
to practice a lifetime of exercise and healthy living.
