Cardiac rehabilitation moves beyond your hospital care to include services designed to restore you to optimal health. Our cardiologists and heart surgeons at the Bon Secours Heart & Vascular Institute are dedicated to providing you with the full spectrum of cardiac services. Therefore, our physicians are an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team committed to helping you reduce your risks of a recurring event. Both St. Mary’s Hospital and Memorial Regional Medical Center offer Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation services. The multi-disciplinary team members teach you how to reduce your risks through a comprehensive program of exercise, education, and learning how to live with heart disease. Through the combination of exercise and education, you learn how to improve the quality of your life.

When should I begin cardiac rehabilitation? Your physician together with the multi-disciplinary team will determine the optimal time for you to begin your rehabilitation program. You may begin as early as a few weeks after your procedure or surgery but it is important that you discuss this program with your physician prior to leaving the hospital. Your outcome will be substantially better the earlier you begin your program. Cardiac rehabilitation programs generally are covered by most health insurance plans. As a service to our patients, the Heart & Vascular Institute will contact your health plan to verify your benefits. Shortly thereafter, a cardiac rehabilitation nurse will notify you when the referral is received from your physician.

What are the benefits to me of joining a cardiac rehabilitation program? As a new enrollee in our cardiac rehabilitation program, a personalized plan is developed for you by a multi-disciplinary team that includes a cardiologist. This plan is focused on returning you to optimal health and lifestyle while reducing the risk of future health problems by focusing on:

•  Mind Body Spirit. Our cardiac rehabilitation programs recognize that heart disease is not just a mechanical obstacle but also a biochemical and spiritual challenge for our patients. We are committed to taking care of the whole person to bring them into optimal health.

•  Using alternative care options. Using state-of-the-art technology, we provide a customized exercise program designed to promote optimal cardiac health based upon your own ability to perform various exercises. These exercise programs may include yoga or various alternative forms of exercise depending upon your own individual needs.

•  Providing education programs. Our patients can receive individual counseling in a variety of areas including nutrition, stress management, weight loss, and smoking cessation to help you succeed in reducing your risk of any future health problems.