The Heart & Vascular Center

     The objective of cardiovascular rehabilitation is to help the cardiac patient return to as many normal and productive activities as possible. The Heart & Vascular Center's medical staff carefully assesses each patient's needs, then develops an individualized, structured rehabilitation program. The program is implemented under the close supervision and guidance of the rehabilitation staff. 

     Cardiovascular rehabilitation at The Heart & Vascular Center is based on gradual positive changes that acknowledge and allow for heart condition, but embrace new lifestyle patterns.Through cardiovascular rehabilitation programs at the Heart & Vascular Center, you will increase your awareness of health concerns such as diet, exercise, stress management and smoking cessation. You will emerge from the Heart & Vascular Center Rehab with a new perception of your health and with greater strength and endurance than before. 

     Successful rehabilitation begins with you...the attitude, goals, patience and determination you bring to the challenge.  You begin by accepting the reality and risks of your heart condition and realizing that positive changes and new approaches are essential. Ask those around you to help by joining the necessary lifestyle changes. Focus on goals which are important to you - such as returning to work, participating in sports, spending more time with the family, traveling or starting new activities. 

     Most cardiovascular rehabilitation patients approach the process with justifiable enthusiasm. You can achieve an optimal and meaningful lifestyle after a cardiovascular event. But it is very important to temper your enthusiasm with patience. You are establishing patterns for a new approach to life! Patience and determination will help hold your enthusiasm for the duration of rehabilitation. 

     As a Heart & Vascular Center Rehab program participant, you will be guided by an exercise and diet plan developed expressly for you. Each aspect of your rehabilitation activity is closely supervised by physicians, nurses and cardiac rehabilitation experts.  Cardiovascular rehabilitation provides life-enriching rewards for your efforts. The Heart & Vascular Center assures that you can approach the challenge with confidence. If you would like to discuss any aspects of your rehabilitation, you may contact the Rehab Department directly by dialing 955-1736. 

     Cardiovascular rehabilitation programs are usually conducted in three phases. Phase I begins in the hospital, immediately after surgery or a cardiac event. Phase II begins after discharge from the hospital. Phase III includes Phase 11 graduates and others who may be inactive, or high risk candidates who have a smoking habit, excess body fat, high blood pressure, stress and tension, or a family of heart disease. The Heart & Vascular Center's cardiovascular rehabilitation program is for those patients eligible for Phases II and III. The Heart & Vascular Center, as part of its comprehensive approach to cardiac health care, provides a fully equipped rehabilitation facility that includes locker and changing rooms for both men and women. 
 
 

     During Phase II, recently discharged heart patients participate in a closely-supervised and fully monitored individualized exercise and education program. This phase is approximately 12 weeks in duration. Each session begins with warm-up exercises followed by a workout including such apparatus as the stationary bicycle, treadmill, light weights, arm crank and rowing machine. The workout concludes with a cool-down period. Each workout session includes EKG monitoring and blood pressure measurement. 

     During Phase II workouts, patients become more aware of their bodies’ capabilities; they become more familiar with their heart rate, levels of exertion and how to identify problems if they develop. The education program initiated in Phase II, revolves around modifying those cardiac risk factors that apply to you. Modifiable risk factors have been identified as contributing to heart disease.  Some of these risk factors are: a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, a diet rich in saturated fats and cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cigarette smoking. If you smoke, we strongly encourage you to stop. Nicotine constricts blood vessels,  increases oxygen needs of the heart, reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood, and increases the risk of heart attack several times over. Chronic inhalation of tobacco smoke causes changes in the walls of the arteries and they become more “sticky” and susceptible to cholesterol and fat deposits leading to blockages. Any treatment of coronary artery disease will probably not work if
you continue to smoke. You must accept the fact that smoking and healthy hearts are not compatible. 
 
 

     During Phase III, all activity is still undertaken with guidance and direction of the Heart & Vascular Center Rehabilitation Program. Supervision and monitoring becomes less intensive during Phase III, as participants are encouraged to begin developing their own exercise programs.