If you have coronary heart disease, a cardiac rehab program can offer you a structured opportunity to reduce your risk of heart attacks, relieve recurring chest pain and improve your overall health. Heart rehab program options vary, but most use a similar multi-pronged system to attack disease and help you live a longer and fitter life.
Physical Support Options
Cardiac rehab programs initially evaluate your health status and consistently track your physical limitations, capabilities and other health conditions. The goal is to see progress with each check-in. Most treatments also include a program regular exercise with activities such as jogging and cycling, and sometimes strengthening exercises such as lifting weights, to improve your cardiovascular fitness and overall strength. Rehab exercise programs may be finely structured and monitored or independent and less monitored, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Either way, your health team will ensure that it's safe for you.
Education and Counseling Options
Most cardiac rehab programs offer lifestyle education. You may receive tips on losing weight through healthy diet and get the support you need to break less healthy habits such as smoking, according to MayoClinic.com. Some cardiac rehab programs include counseling services to help you cope with depression or anxiety you may have as a result of your health condition. Rehab programs can also include occupational or vocational therapy to help you stay safe and healthy on the job.
Typical Support Team
The professional who evaluates your health before you go through the program is generally a medical director. The specialist who evaluates your need for other services may be a pain management psychologist, a biofeedback therapist or a physical therapist who is at the doctoral level, according to PinnacleHealth Hospitals website. Other specialists on your team will include cardiologists and nurses and may include exercise rehab specialists, physical therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists and occupational or vocational therapists.
Choosing the Right Program
Cardiac rehab programs are generally located in hospitals, but some senior centers, civic centers and community groups also offer rehab programs, according to the American Heart Association. An ideal program will include a wide range of specialists to address all areas of your well-being and design your program specifically for you. Since a cardiac rehab program is a medical treatment, your program should require a doctor's referral and provide your doctor with regular reports of your health. Also, due to the sensitive nature of a heart health treatment, you should opt for a program that has been certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Other factors to consider are whether you can easily get to the program, whether it specifically offers all the services you require, whether you can afford it and whether your insurance plan covers it.
