Cardiac Services
Cardiac Services offers exercise and health programs aimed at helping people recover from a recent heart hospitalization.
It is designed to provide education guidelines to help heart patients safely increase their physical fitness and return to a healthy and active lifestyle.
Counseling and education are provided that will help you with dietary changes, weight loss, smoking cessation and stress management.
Cardiac Diagnostics
- Stress testing
- Stress echocardiograms
- Echocardiograms/bubble studies
- 24- and 48-hour holter monitoring
- 30-day cardiac event monitoring
- Cardiolite nuclear stress testing
- Pharmacological (Lexiscan) nuclear stress testing
Qualifying for Rehabilitation
You may qualify for cardiac rehabilitation if you have recently experienced:
- Heart attack
- Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)
- Valve surgery
- Balloon angioplasty/coronary stenting
- Heart transplant
- Stable congestive heart failure
- Angina
Outpatient Rehabilitation Programs
Phase II
Starts early in recovery after a cardiac event or procedure. This program provides an EKG monitored exercise program and education to identify and reduce cardiac risk factors. This program is covered by most insurance companies.
Phase III
This is a self-pay program for patients who have completed Phase II Cardiac Rehab. This non-EKG monitored program offers ongoing exercise, education and support while making important lifestyle changes.
A physician referral is required.
Exercise Program Benefits
- Improved physical fitness and energy levels
- Improved heart strength
- Weight loss
- Reduced blood pressure
- Controlled cholesterol levels
- Improved management of stress
- Reduced risk of future heart problems
- Increased ability to perform job or tasks
- Improved physical fitness and energy levels
- Improved overall well-being
Participants attend exercise and education classes three times a week for up to 36 sessions. The exercise sessions focus on increasing physical fitness and improving work capacity. Participants are monitored by ECG, blood pressure, and close supervision by your health care team. Staff members are trained in cardiac and emergency patient care.
The cardiac rehab staff is dedicated to providing expert care through personal attention, counseling and education. Each exercise program is individualized to meet specific needs of the participant. We will develop a plan with you and your family to assist you in making changes to decrease your risk for future events. Nutritional counseling is also provided. Periodic progress reports are shared with your physician and cardiologist.
Better Choices, Better Health
Better Choices, Better Health is a free intervention program to help adults learn how to manage symptoms of chronic disease and improve their overall health. With mutual support from others, participants will form the skills needed for their particular condition to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Led by trained facilitators, these sessions are highly participative and help build the confidence to be active.
The most common chronic diseases include arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke. In the United States, 1 out of every 2 people has at least one chronic disease, and chronic diseases account for 75% of the $2 trillion spent on health care each year.
During each Better Choices, Better Health session, a variety of topics will be covered, including:
- Healthy eating and nutrition tips
- Exercises to improve strength, flexibility and endurance
- Improve balance
- Quality of sleep
- Pain and fatigue management
- Communication skills
After the six-week course, participants will experience a positive change in their health, activity level and overall quality of life.
Please visit our calendar of events to see when the next course will be offered, or call Public Health at 515-386-3228 for more information or to register.