Cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation after
you leave the hospital

Cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive program of exercise, education and support that can help you make important lifestyle changes.

Questions to ask when choosing a program:

Is the program directed by a qualified physician?
A program should be directed by a physician with advanced training in rehabilitation medicine. Health professionals with advanced training in emergency cardiovascular procedures should be present at all times.

What kind of exercise facilities are provided?
Look for a program with either an indoor or outdoor track, stationary bicycles and treadmills. Elaborate physical conditioning equipment beyond these three essentials is not necessary and is not as important as the knowledge and training of the program staff.

How are individual programs determined?
Beware of programs that have one-size-fits-all exercise programs. A program should be designed for your specific needs as determined by your physician's direction or by the program's medical director after a medical examination. Your exercise program should be put together by an exercise director with special training in working with heart patients.

Is the center equipped to handle an emergency?
The center should be staffed with trained medical professionals and equipped with emergency equipment such as a defibrillator in good repair.

Are patients monitored during exercise?
At a minimum, pulse rate and blood pressure should be checked periodically during exercise. High-risk patients may initially require Holter monitoring to determine whether their heart rhythm is affected by the exercise program.

Are lifestyle habits other than exercise addressed?
Exercise is only one component of rehabilitation. Modification of other risk factors, including stress management, weight control, dietary changes and smoking cessation should also be an integral part of the cardiac rehab program.

Area Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs

Bridgeport
Bridgeport Hospital
267 Grant Street
Bridgeport, CT 06610
(203) 384-3803

Greenwich
Greenwich Hospital
55 Holly Hill Lane, Suite 120
Greenwich, CT 06830
(203) 863-3195

New Haven
Temple Cardiac Rehabilitation
230 George Street
New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 498-5987

• YNHH Health Library: Cardiac Rehabilitation

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Last revised: May 23, 2007 (dh)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

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