Cardiac rehabilitation
At Liberty Hospital Heart Center, our cardiac rehabilitation program was the first in the Northland to be certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Our team delivers cardiac rehab therapy designed and paced precisely right for you and your specific needs. We know what it takes for you to overcome the challenges you are facing to bring your health back where it belongs.
Call for an appointment: 816.792.7087
Who qualifies for cardiac rehabilitation?
The cardiac rehab program is for anyone who has experienced a cardiovascular event - heart attack, stent placement, angioplasty, stable angina, heart bypass surgery, heart transplant, valve repair or replacement, and heart failure.
Your heart is in the Northland. Your cardiac care is too.
Why choose Liberty Hospital Heart Center for cardiac rehab?
With board-certified, fellowship-trained cardiologists supervising your rehabilitation, our team includes cardiac rehabilitation nurses, exercise physiologists and respiratory therapists who work closely with you to ensure your safe, effective recovery. In addition to expert-guided physical activity, the cardiac rehab program provides education on a heart healthy lifestyle, safe exercise training and counseling to cope with emotions and stress.
The three phases of cardiac rehabilitation
Our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is not "just exercise classes" – it is a complete, customized inpatient and/or outpatient health and wellness management program. Cardiac rehab establishes a personalized plan to help you:
- Regain strength and prevent your condition from worsening
- Reduce your risk of future heart problems
- Improve your overall health and quality of life
The medically supervised rehabilitation program encourages you to rebuild your life around overall health and wellness. It's about possibilities, not limitations. As you get stronger and learn how to manage your condition, you'll likely return to a normal routine, along with your new diet and exercise habits.
Patients are introduced to the cardiac rehabilitation program during the hospital stay. Some patients will have supervised exercise (walking in the hallways) with the physical therapy staff to begin recovery. The patient will be introduced to the cardiac rehab program and receive education on the risk factors for coronary artery disease, a heart healthy diet, and how to start a low-level activity/exercise program. An inter-disciplinary team, consisting of a cardiologist, cardiac rehab nurses and staff, physical and occupation therapists, respiratory therapists, nutritionists and social workers, will visit patients prior to discharge.
Cardiac rehab starts shortly after the patient is discharged from the hospital. The goal is to start within two weeks of returning home, and the program meets three times a week for 12 weeks. Participants are closely monitored with EKG monitoring units while they exercise during the sessions. Both participants and families in the program are provided with education on how to:
- identify risk factors for coronary artery disease
- modify behavior that may have led to a cardiovascular event
- learn and adopt a heart healthy lifestyle
- safely exercise at a moderate level using weight training, treadmills, a variety of bicycles, rowing machines and elliptical trainers
The cardiac rehab team works with the patient to make sure that the program moves and advances at a comfortable, safe pace. Each program is individualized to the participant, who works with the staff to develop the plan. After staff confirms the patient has a good understanding of how his/her body feels during moderate level of exercise and that there have been no significant EKG changes, the patient may no longer be required to wear the EKG monitor during sessions. Phase 2 is a covered plan under Medicare and most insurance plans. Staff will determine the participant's insurance coverage prior to enrollment into the program.
Cardiac rehab may continue with an individualized moderate level exercise program in the cardiac rehab gym. The participant has the option to join this program after successfully completing acute outpatient cardiac rehab. The maintenance program requires a physician's order to enroll into the program. Maintenance programs are not covered by insurance and are paid for by the patient.
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Quality & Patient Satisfaction
Our patient satisfaction ratings consistently exceed national and local averages – and as the only Northland hospital to receive an "A" safety grade four consecutive times from The Leapfrog Group. We are proud to be the highest-ranking hospital for safety in the Northland. We care deeply about delivering excellence in safety, outcomes and patient experience.
Liberty Hospital Heart Center
This is where your heart belongs.
Call for an appointment: 816.407.5430