What is cardiac rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation (cardiac rehab) is a customized outpatient program of exercise and education. It is designed to help patients improve their health and to support their recovery—whether from a heart attack, other heart disease or surgery for heart disease.

Cardiac rehab involves cardiopulmonary exercise training, health education and emotional support for patients and their families. The primary goal of the program is to restore patients to an active and enjoyable lifestyle while reducing cardiac disease risk factors.

Learn more about cardiac rehabilitation from the American Heart Association.

About our cardiac rehab program

The Ocean Beach Hospital cardiac rehab program provides Phase II and Phase III cardiac rehabilitation with one-on-one attention in a care setting that’s close to home.

A comprehensive pre-program assessment is conducted for each patient and may include additional testing, such as blood work and cardiac stress testing. Cardiac stress tests can help accurately diagnose and inform treatment plans for patients with heart disease.

Individually-designed programs involve a caregiver team and are based on the unique needs of each patient. Programs are typically 12 weeks in duration and include three 45- to 60-minute sessions each week. Sessions are on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

As patients regain strength and reduce their cardiac risk factors through our program, they also:

  • Help prevent their cardiac conditions from worsening
  • Reduce their risk for future heart problems
  • Improve their quality of life

Research shows that cardiac rehabilitation programs can reduce your risk of death from heart disease and reduce your risk of future heart problems. The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology recommend cardiac rehabilitation programs.

A physician’s referral is required to enter our cardiac rehabilitation program. Ask your doctor if you are eligible.

Does insurance cover cardiac rehabilitation?

Both outpatient cardiac rehab and pulmonary rehab are covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. For more information, contact the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team at Ocean Beach Hospital.

CARDIAC DISEASE RISK FACTORS

  • High blood pressure

  • High cholesterol

  • Diabetes

  • Being overweight

  • Stress

  • Tobacco use

  • Inactivity

DEPARTMENT CONTACT

  360.642.6425