What is cardiac rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) is a program designed to help improve your overall health by identifying and reducing the risk factors that lead to cardiovascular disease.
The program promotes optimal life-style changes and medical management to:
- Prevent the occurrence and/or progression of cardiovascular disease
- Reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke
- Reduce the need for future surgery
- Enhance your quality of life by reducing symptoms
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Team
Top Row: Vanessa Heinly; Bob Rosneck, MS; Charles Walters, MA; Mike Crawford, MS Cardiac Rehab Manager; Phil LaScola, MS; Gordon Blackburn, Ph.D. Program Director
Bottom Row: Jill Acitelli, MS; Emily Eiselstein, MS; Gwen Ferguson, RN, BSN; Laura Doty, MS
How will cardiac rehab help?
As a participant in the cardiac rehab program, you will work with an exercise physiologist or registered nurse who will help you meet your personal goals.
The goals of cardiac rehab are to:
- Increase your understanding about your condition and treatment
- Help you make the right lifestyle changes to decrease your risk of a heart attack or stroke and reduce the need for future surgery
- Increase your ability to perform your job and your daily or recreational activities
- Provide you and your family with the support and motivation you need to make important lifestyle changes
Who can benefit from cardiac rehab?
Cardiac rehab programs benefit patients who have:
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
- Interventional procedures such as balloon angioplasty, PTCA, atherectomy, rotoblation or stent placement
- Angina
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Heart failure
- Hemodynamic disorders, such as syncope
- Peripheral artery disease
- Other heart or vascular disorders
- Valve repair or replacement
- Aortic aneurysm repair or replacement
- Heart transplant
What is included in the Cleveland Clinic cardiac rehab program?
Charles Walters, MS, Phase I Cardiac Rehabilitation
Phase I CardiacRehab
During your hospital stay, a cardiac rehab specialist will direct your early activities. You will receive information about the recovery process and learn how to reduce your future risk of cardiovascular disease.
Phase II CardiacRehab
How do I get started?
Soon after you are discharged from the hospital, you can enter the outpatient Phase II Cardiac Rehab program. Once your doctor has provided a referral, the rehab team can help you get started in the program.
Your first visit will include an exercise evaluation for safety, a discussion about exercise guidelines, a review of your medical history and an evaluation of your cardiovascular disease risk factors.
What does the program include?
We will develop a plan with you and your family that includes strategies to help you make lifestyle changes and decrease your risks. The program will be tailored to your personal needs, abilities and interests.
Patient and family education classes are provided every week along with individual education to help you achieve your personal goals. Detailed nutrition counseling is also available with our registered dietitian.
The program will support the ongoing care provided by your referring doctor.
We will track your progress throughout your participation in the program and report this information to you and your referring doctor.
Where will I go to participate in the program?
Cardiac rehab activity classes are offered at Cleveland Clinic.
All sessions are medically supervised and directed by nationally certified rehabilitation specialists and nurses. State-of-the-art monitoring equipment and a variety of exercise equipment are available for your safety and convenience.
Ongoing Management
Gordon Blackburn, Ph.D.
In addition to the Cardiac Rehab program, you may participate in the Preventive Cardiology Clinic. This Clinic brings together the multi-specialty expertise of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and other health care professionals from several departments, including cardiovascular medicine, endocrinology, hypertension, internal medicine, exercise physiology, psychology and nutrition therapy.
The Preventive Cardiology Clinic manages traditional and emerging risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The team works with each patient individually, using research-based interventions and a variety of treatment methods.
Does insurance cover cardiac rehab?
Outpatient cardiac rehab is covered by most insurance companies. We can help you contact your insurance company to ask about your coverage options before you start the Phase II Cardiac Rehab program. Or you may call the financial counselor at 216.444.9434 or 800.223.2273 ext. 49434
Why attend the Cleveland Clinic Cardiac Rehab Program?
- The program is part of the Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute, which has been ranked the #1 cardiac program since 1995 by U.S. News & World Report
- Our program is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- You'll have immediate access to your Cleveland Clinic physicians; all records are centralized and physicians have immediate access to your progress
- Participants in a comprehensive program have a 25 to 30% reduction in fatal heart events
- On average, our participants have a 25% increase in exercise capacity
- You'll receive a full medical evaluation, exercise test for safety and effectiveness and a program designed to meet your specific goals to help you reduce all risk factors for heart disease
- Participants work with the same rehab staff member for the entire program
- Staff members are certified exercise specialists and are certified in advanced cardiac life support
- The program is integrated with the Preventive Cardiology program
- An on-staff registered dietitian is available for consultations
For more information
If you have questions about cardiac rehab, please call the Section of Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation at 216.444.9353 or 800.223.2273 ext. 49353. Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, EST Click here to learn about choosing a cardiac rehabilitation program.
