The cardiac rehabilitation program is a comprehensive, lifestyle management, physician-prescribed program for people with heart disease. Program participants may have had a heart attack, heart surgery or other heart procedures. Cardiac rehabilitation aims to:

• Improve physical fitness and exercise tolerance
• Increase one's knowledge of heart disease
• Promote a heart-healthy lifestyle to decrease the likelihood of future cardiac events
• Increase confidence and ability to return to employment and independent living

Cardiac rehabilitation helps treat the following conditions or is used after the following procedures:

• Congestive heart failure
• Angina
• Heart attack
• Post open-heart surgery
• Balloon angioplasty
• Pacemaker implantation
• Congenital heart disease
• Arrhythmias

Concord Hospital's cardiac rehabilitation program provides patients an opportunity to participate in supervised exercise based on their needs. The program is available through physician referral. It is led by an exercise specialist and monitored by a cardiac nurse. Each session includes warm-up exercises, aerobic exercise on a treadmill, bicycle, rowing machine, arm exerciser or stair stepper, and weight training. Educational sessions focus on cardiac risk factors, medications, exercise, stress management and heart-healthy nutrition. Each participant wears a portable heart monitor so the cardiac nurse can monitor individual heart rates and rhythms throughout the session. The program typically runs two to three days per week for six to nine weeks.

The cardiac rehabilitation program can begin while an inpatient at Concord Hospital. Physical and occupational therapists work with the patient to increase their activity tolerance and independence. Patient and family education helps individuals recognize risk factors, monitor progress and increase their activity.

Components of cardiac rehabilitation:

• Individual assessment and educational session with a member of the cardiac rehabilitation team to determine appropriateness
• Telemetry-monitored group exercise sessions
• Relaxation/stress reduction training
• Educational sessions focusing on heart-healthy nutrition, stress management, physical and psychosocial risk factors for heart disease, and the benefits of exercise
• Individual nutrition counseling

Ongoing cardiac rehabilitation services are available to graduates of the cardiac rehabilitation program. A maintenance exercise program, designed specifically for people with a history of heart disease, is available. Exercise instructors have CPR certification and are educated in leading exercise classes for individuals with heart disease. Classes are held throughout the day. A physician’s authorization is required.

Contact

Ph: (603) 227-7111

Where Can I Find Out More?

National Rehabilitation Association
American Speech and Hearing Association
The American Occupational Therapy Association
American Physical Therapy Association
American Society of Hand Therapists