Cardiac Rehabilitation
Get the Right Cardiac Fitness to Strengthen Your Heart
If you have been referred to Cardiac Rehabilitation by your physician, our team of registered nurses, physical therapists and nutritionists will work closely with you to help you regain your strength and build up your cardiac fitness.
What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Cardiac Rehabilitation is a physician-referred comprehensive program that combines education and emotional support with monitored exercise to help you make healthy changes to gain self-confidence and help meet your goal to return to a full and active lifestyle.
Who is Eligible for Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Your physician or healthcare provider may refer you to the Cardiac Rehabilitation program at Desert Care Network, or you may request a referral, if you are recovering from cardiovascular conditions, such as:
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Heart surgery
- Valve repair or replacement surgery
- Coronary artery bypass grafting
- Percutaneous coronary intervention
- Stable angina (chest pain)
What is Involved in Cardiac Rehabilitation?
The cardiac rehabilitation program has three phases:
- Clinical - Your physical ability and motivation will be assessed soon after surgery. The cardiac rehabilitation team may start to guide you through non-strenuous exercises and range of motion drills.
- Outpatient Rehabilitation - Outpatient rehabilitation can begin as soon as the patient is stable and cleared by the attending physician. It is presented in segments - information/advice, tailored training and relaxation strategies - and typically lasts three to six weeks. For some patients, outpatient rehabilitation can take place over 12 weeks.
- Post Cardiac Rehab - Patients in this phase are allowed more independence and self-monitoring. It centers on increasing flexibility, strengthening and aerobic conditioning.
What Are the Goals of Cardiac Rehabilitation?
The cardiac rehabilitation program is designed to improve the course of cardiac treatment and recovery through the following approaches:
- Build healthier lifestyle habits
- Decrease cardiovascular symptoms such as chest pain
- Increase understanding of heart disease
- Improve your mood, physical strength and endurance
- Motivate you to take prescribed medicines that help lower risk for future heart problems
- Minimize anxiety due to heart disease
- Teach effective coping and stress management skills
- Provide access to educational cardiac classes, videos and informational materials
Getting Ready for Cardiac Rehabilitation
Before you sign up for the program, you must get a recommendation from your treating physician. While some insurance companies require pre-authorization, the Cardiac Rehabilitation program offers Medicare coverage to people living in the Coachella Valley and nearby locales. Once cleared, the cardiac rehabilitation team will work closely with you and your primary physician on an individualized plan of care for your special cardiac needs.
To schedule and appointment or learn more about Cardiac Rehabilitation call (760) 323-6122. You may also send an email to [email protected].