Open Accessibility Menu
Hide

Building Stronger Hearts

The Cardiac Rehab department offers a multi-level individualized program designed to help cardiac patients reach their highest level of health. Our program has received state and national accreditation from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

By following your cardiac rehabilitation program, patients can expect to see improvements in their health. This can include better weight management, lower stress levels, improve blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and better strength and stamina. Many patients also report a boost in their emotional health, too, helping both their bodies and minds.

What Is Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Cardiac Rehabilitation is a supervised exercise and education program to promote the recovery of cardiac patients. The program includes information for you and your family; supervised exercise while in the hospital; and ultimately, supervised exercise as an outpatient. Each program is based on the personal abilities and needs of the individual patient. Different types of equipment may be used such as treadmills, stationary bicycles and NuStep.

Cardiac Rehab focuses on:

  • Exercise in a physician-directed program with supervision by a registered nurse
  • Monitoring the cardiac patient’s heart rhythm during exercise
  • Assisting the patient in making lifestyle changes
  • Education for the patient and patient’s family to identify the risk factors of coronary heart disease which include:
    • Lack of exercise
    • High blood pressure
    • Improper Diet
    • Elevated blood cholesterol
    • Smoking
    • Coping with stress ineffectively

Am I a Candidate for Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation is most often recommended to patients who have had:

  • Bypass surgery
  • Valve repair or replacement surgery
  • Stable angina
  • Heart attack
  • Coronary artery bypass graft surgery
  • Angioplasty
  • Heart transplant
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Coronary stent placement
  • Chronic heart failure

What to Expect at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

We offer three successive programs for patients recovering from a cardiac event or procedure:

Phase I: The first phase is provided to patients who are admitted to the hospital for some cardiac events. An inpatient program designed to teach the cardiac patient and his or her family about heart disease and the recovery process, and to start the patient on a monitored and supervised exercise program.

Phase II: An outpatient cardiac program conducted a few times per week for up to 12 weeks, designed to increase cardiovascular fitness. These exercise sessions are supervised and monitored by health professionals. In addition, educational classes are provided. Patients are instructed in risk factor awareness to help prevent further cardiovascular disease and to promote lifestyle changes.

Phase III: This program features a more independent approach to physical fitness for those with cardiac and pulmonary conditions. It involves supervised exercise times to improve strength, endurance, and wellness. An outpatient maintenance program designed to help participants improve or maintain cardiovascular fitness and good health. In addition, this phase is designed for anyone who has any risk factors for heart disease and wants a safe, effective, individualized exercise program. The program’s purpose is to help clients achieve and maintain their cardiac fitness levels to live healthy lives.

The purpose of the program is to help participants strengthen their hearts, learn about heart-healthy living by:

  • Establishing a personalized exercise program
  • Learning how to manage their conditions and prevent other occurrences
  • Adjusting to the emotions that accompany heart disease
  • Getting support services, if needed

Are There Any Risks Associated with Cardiac Rehabilitation?

You will be under constant observation of trained health care professionals throughout your program, but you should be aware that there are certain changes that could occur during an exercise session. Specific risks include abnormal blood sugar, blood pressure, fainting, abnormal heartbeat, and rare instances of heart attack or sudden death. Emergency equipment and trained personnel are available should any unusual situation arise. To reduce these risks, you should follow your program as prescribed and know your training heart rate at all times (we will teach you how to monitor this). Should you experience chest pain or pressure, inform our staff immediately.

Physician Referrals

A physician’s referral is required for all Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center cardiac rehabilitation programs. The referring physician will be responsible for providing your medical care; we will keep them informed of you treatment and progress reports on a monthly basis.

Your physician must provide us with the following information prior to acceptance into the program:

  • Completed referral form
  • Completed tracing of recent EKGs
  • Copies of all relevant data, including history and physical, medication list and lab results.

CARDIAC/PULMONARY SUPPORT GROUP

The Cardiac/Pulmonary Support group is designed to encourage persons with concerns about heart and lung disease in their goals for a healthy lifestyle. The group meets every other month. Call 319-385-6504 for more information.

Related Providers