The Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is designed to modify the risks of heart disease through a carefully structured four- to twelve-week program of monitored exercise and education. Call 443-718-3102 for more information.

Cardiac rehabilitation helps participants:

• Increase cardiovascular fitness
• Modify risk factors for heart disease
• Understand the effects of diet, stress and exercise
• Return to a healthier, more active lifestyle
• Improve self confidence and sense of well-being

Assessment

Once you have physician approval to begin the Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, our staff performs an evaluation, including a medical history, physical examination and a review of your recent cardiac stress test. Consulting with the referring physician, the staff develops an individual treatment plan, including an exercise prescription, for each patient. 

Exercise

Each exercise session begins with a group warm-up, individualized cardiovascular conditioning, weight treatment and a cool-down. You are monitored to ensure your physical well-being and, based on your progress, your exercise prescription will be updated weekly. 

Education

The following topics will help you understand the causes of heart disease and the role of behavior modification in the recovery process:

• Heart anatomy and physiology
• Heart disease
• Risk factors
• Cardiac medication
• Exercise benefits
• Cardiac diagnostic tests
• Heart-healthy diets
• Stress management

At the conclusion of the Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, you and your referring physician and/or primary care physician will receive a detailed report of your progress and performance, with exercise guidelines and recommendations for continuing an exercise program on your own.

Education materials

Schedule

The program operates Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and participants attend three sessions per week for four to twelve weeks. Classes run approximately 1 1/2 hours and start at 6:45 a.m., 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 2:15 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. Times are subject to change to meet patient and program needs.

Insurance

The following diagnoses are covered by Medicare for the Cardiac Rehabilitation: myocardial infarction (MI) (for Medicare patients with MI within the past 12 months), percutaneous angioplasty with or without stent, coronary artery bypass surgery, valve repair and/or replacement, and heart transplant. Stable angina is also covered by Medicare, but a physician must provide objective evidence of ischemic coronary artery disease. Medicare now covers the diagnosis of Congestive heart failure (CHF). Medicare has very specific criteria in order to be approved. The criteria would require an ejection fraction of 35% or less, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II - IV,  be on stable heart failure therapy for at least six weeks. Stable patients are defined as patients who have not had recent (< 6 weeks) or planned (< 6 months) major cardiovascular hospitalizations or procedures. Private insurances might cover these and other diagnoses.

Staff

Program staff members are experienced in the care of patients with heart disease and have completed CPR and the American Heart Association's Advanced Cardiac Life Support course. There is a board-certified cardiologist who is a credentialed member of the hospital's medical staff, a clinical program manager, cardiac nurses, exercise physiologists and respiratory therapists.

HCGH Phase III Cardiac Maintenance Program

This medically-supervised exercise program lasts approximately one hour and includes taking your blood pressure and heart rate before, during and after exercise. The program meets Tuesdays and Fridays at 8 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. in the cardiac rehab area of The Bolduc Family Outpatient Center. Cost is $75 per month, payable the first of each month.

Student Internship Program

Internship opportunities are available for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in exercise science, exercise physiology, health, nursing or other related fields. For more information on the Student Internship Program, please call the clinical program manager at 443-718-3102.


If you have questions or would like to make an appointment call 443-718-3102.