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.

Phase II

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:

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.

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.