Cardiac Rehabilitation
MountainView Regional Medical Center offers a cardiac rehabilitation program designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals who have experienced a cardiac event. Our team establishes individualized programs designed to help maximize the patient’s heart strength and live life more fully and confidently.
We provide patients with education on lifestyle changes to help manage stress, recognize warning signs of a cardiac event, reduce hypertension, maintain heart healthy nutrition and more.
Phase I – Inpatient cardiac rehab
This phase begins in the hospital following a coronary event. It involves constant cardiac monitoring and continual assessment of the effects of interventions including medications and exercise. The immediate goals of Phase I are to clinically stabilize the patient, progress functional activities, ready the patient for discharge home and educate the patient and their family on cardiac disease management and secondary prevention.
Phase II – Outpatient cardiac rehab
Phase II cardiac rehab is a medically monitored outpatient exercise program designed for those who have had a recent heart illness or surgery/procedure. This phase begins two or three weeks after discharge from acute hospitalization. A cardiologist or primary care physician will write a referral for outpatient cardiac rehab when the patient is ready. This program includes regular exercise and risk factor modification to help patients regain confidence, strength and stamina while recovering; a tailored exercise program will be designed to meet the patient’s needs with individual limitations taken into consideration. Participation consists of three exercise sessions per week for 12 weeks for a total of 36 sessions; each session usually last approximately one hour in length. Exercise sessions include four main components: warm up, aerobic exercise, strength training and a cool down. The patient will gradually increase strength and endurance while being continuously monitored and supervised.
Educational classes are also offered to provide information on lifestyle modification. Patients are also given the opportunity to participate with other patients that have all been through some form of heart surgery or procedure. This allows the unique opportunity to talk to others in a relaxed setting and discuss issues that you have all encountered.
Phase III – Maintenance program
This phase consists of a continuation of the Phase II program. As a participant, the patient will be ECG monitored occasionally, with pre/post vitals taken daily to ensure stable heart functioning. Self-management of the exercise program will provide the patient with the opportunity to maintain strength and endurance. Education classes are also available. Phase III provides a safe and comfortable environment to continue lifestyle modifications.