Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac Rehab: The Right Tools for a Successful Recovery

Cardiac rehabilitation begins during hospitalization and continues in a supervised outpatient setting. Our team includes cardiologists, specially trained nurses, exercise physiologists, registered dietitians, pharmacists and psychologists who work together to help patients return to an active lifestyle.

Cardiac rehab is typically a 12-week, 36-session program. Our patients receive personalized education and instruction in exercise, nutrition, stress reduction and smoking cessation.

Candidates for Cardiac Rehabilitation

• Heart attack
• Stable angina
• Coronary artery bypass surgery
• Heart valve repair or replacement
• Angioplasty or stent
• Heart transplant

Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation

You don’t have to worry about how to recover from a heart event or procedure with our team of healthcare providers dedicated to supporting you on your health journey. Numerous clinical studies have shown that patients who participate in cardiac rehab recover faster and feel more empowered to maintain healthy habits that minimize risk factors.

• Feel better, get stronger and return to everyday activities
• Receive personalized physical, mental and social support
• Reduce your risk of future cardiovascular illness and events

Three-Phase Approach for Complete Rehabilitation

Phase One: During the patient’s hospital stay following a heart event or surgery, our team provides education to minimize potential risk factors as well as recommendations for exercise and nutrition support.

Phase Two: This is the main aspect of cardiac rehab. Patients visit one of our outpatient sites to work with our cardiac rehab team to develop and participate in a customized, monitored exercise and nutrition plan, based on the patient’s needs and goals. In general, this occurs two to four weeks after heart attack or heart stent placement, and four to six weeks after heart surgery (heart bypass, valve repair/replacement or heart transplant). In phase two, our team provides:

• Medically supervised exercise sessions, using cardiovascular and resistance training equipment in a group setting to teach proper technique and safety.
• An exercise prescription tailored to each patient’s diagnosis, risk factors and potential physical limitations. This includes a precardiac rehab treadmill stress test.
• Counseling to help patients understand their specific heart condition and how to reduce the risk of future heart problems, including medication management, mental health and nutrition.

Phase 3: Designed to help patients build a lifelong commitment to heart health and prevent future heart events, our team provides counseling and support, including follow ups to medication management, exercise recommendations and nutrition.

Mended Hearts Support Group

University Hospitals also offers support through Mended Hearts. Mended Hearts is a national nonprofit organization that has been inspiring hope in patients and their families for more than 60 years. Members listen, share their experiences and learn from healthcare professionals.

Learn more at MendedHearts138.org.

We have cardiac rehabilitation facilities located throughout Northeast Ohio. A physician referral is necessary. Once you receive a referral, please contact the rehab site directly to schedule an intake visit.