Whether you've had a heart attack or another type of heart-related issue, cardiac rehabilitation at Indiana Regional Medical Center (IRMC) can help you safely resume an active lifestyle.
Find out more about how this special program can give you peace of mind and improve your life.
Who needs cardiac rehab?
Cardiac rehab helps people who have heart conditions. This includes people who have had a heart attack, those who have coronary artery disease or heart failure, and people who have recently had a heart procedure or surgery.
Reviewed 9/7/2022
7 FACTS & MYTHS ABOUT CARDIAC REHABILITATION
Cardiac rehabilitation is a good idea for almost anyone who's had a heart event, surgery or procedure. Cardiac rehab teaches you how to avoid further heart problems.
Cardiac rehab has proven health benefits. Unfortunately, many people who are eligible for the program don't take part.
Read up on some of the myths and facts about cardiac rehab below. If you think you or a family member might benefit, ask your doctor about the program.
FACT: You need a referral from your doctor for cardiac rehab.
You may benefit from a referral to cardiac rehab if you’ve experienced one or more of the following:
- Heart attack.
- Heart condition such as coronary artery disease, angina or heart failure.
- Heart procedure or surgery such as angioplasty, valve replacement or bypass surgery.
If your doctor hasn’t brought up cardiac rehab, ask about it at your next visit.
MYTH: Health insurance doesn’t usually cover cardiac rehab.
Medicare and most other insurance providers pay for cardiac rehab for people who are eligible for it. If you're a candidate for rehab, talk to your medical team and your insurance provider to find out if it's covered.
FACT: Regular exercise is an important part of cardiac rehab.
A cardiac rehab specialist will design a physical activity program tailored to your abilities. You will be closely monitored throughout to make sure your heart is handling the load.
Other vital parts of cardiac rehab include:
- Heart-healthy eating.
- Stress reduction.
- Quitting smoking.
- Drug therapy.
MYTH: You can be too old to benefit from cardiac rehab.
Cardiac rehab is about more than living longer. It’s about living a high-quality life right now. Ask your doctor how cardiac rehab can be customized to your age and abilities.
FACT: The main goal of cardiac rehab is to help keep you from developing or dying from heart problems.
Cardiac rehab can:
- Lower the risk for a second heart attack or surgery.
- Reduce your overall risk of dying or having a future cardiac event.
- Help you manage risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Help you lose weight.
- Lessen chest pain.
MYTH: Cardiac rehab is only about improving physical health.
In addition to helping your body, cardiac rehab will also help you address the emotional aspects of having a heart problem or recovering after surgery. Your rehab team may include specialists like mental health professionals or social workers who focus specifically on this.
MYTH: Cardiac rehab is something you’ll do for the rest of your life.
Though the exact program will vary according to your needs, cardiac rehab usually lasts around three months, with sessions occurring several times a week.
Learn more about your heart
Visit our Heart Health topic center to learn more about taking care of your heart.
Sources
- American College of Cardiology. "Cardiac Rehabilitation." (graphic) https://www.cardiosmart.org/topics/cardiac-rehabilitation/assets/infographic/cardiac-rehabilitation.
- American College of Cardiology. "Cardiac Rehabilitation." https://www.cardiosmart.org/topics/cardiac-rehabilitation.
- American Heart Association. "Am I Eligible for Cardiac Rehab?" https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-rehab/am-i-eligible-for-cardiac-rehab.
- American Heart Association. "Cardiac Rehab: Frequently Asked Questions." https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-rehab/cardiac-rehab-faq.
- American Heart Association. "Just 1 in 4 Medicare Recipients Participate in Cardiac Rehab." https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/01/14/just-1-in-4-medicare-recipients-participate-in-cardiac-rehab.
Cardiac rehab can have many benefits. For example, it can:
- Improve your fitness level. Being in better shape helps you do more of what you want and need to do.
- Reduce your risk for future heart problems. It may even help you live longer.
- Reduce angina (chest pain) symptoms.
- Help you become heart smart. We'll help you learn to make heart-healthy changes, like eating right and quitting smoking.
- Give you a lot of emotional support. We know that living with heart disease can be stressful and challenging.
- Give you tools and knowledge to exercise at home. It is our hope that you will continue your journey after your cardiac rehab program ends. To help, we offer cardiac rehab participants a reduced fee for continuing their own exercise program at our S&T Wellness Center.
Our outpatient cardiac rehab program
IRMC's cardiac rehab program is provided on the main floor of our hospital. It combines heart-healthy education with support and exercise that will help you gradually build up your stamina and strength.
The program is run by a friendly, caring team that includes an exercise physiologist and a registered nurse. A cardiologist is always in the building in case you need their care at any point during rehab.
Working with our team is like having your own personal trainer to teach you and root for you. Each team member really cares about our rehab patients and they develop great relationships. It's not uncommon to have patients call us after they've finished the program just to tell us how they're doing.
We will set up an exercise program for you that's tailored to your needs, abilities and goals. You'll exercise in our gym, which is equipped with everything you need to exercise, including treadmills, elliptical machines and stationary bikes.
And, of course, we'll be there while you exercise and will closely monitor your heart and vital signs to ensure that you are safe.
Ask your doctor about cardiac rehab
You will need a referral from your doctor to participate in cardiac rehab.
The sessions are one hour long, three days a week. Depending on insurance coverage, many people attend rehab for a period of 12 weeks. (Most insurance plans cover the cost of cardiac rehab, though the number of covered sessions varies.)
To learn more about our cardiac rehab services, please call 724.357.7107.