The Cardiac Rehabilitation program helps individuals with heart disease maintain a state of physical and mental well-being. The professional staff (comprised of physicians, nurses, dietitians, exercise physiologists and specialists, and pharmacists) helps guide patients through the process of developing a healthy lifestyle one step at a time. They also help to inspire individuals to follow a new way of life with healthy approaches for them and their families by providing education, exercise and eating tips, and more.

There are three phases to the Cardiac Rehabilitation program, Inpatient, Outpatient and Maintenance. You can enter the program at any phase with your doctor’s permission. A doctor must write an order for you to begin the program.

All phases of cardiac rehabilitation are designed to assist and support you and your family in living with a heart condition. During this time of recovery, your family is encouraged to attend the exercise and education sessions.

Phase I Cardiac Rehab

Phase II Cardiac Rehab

Phase III Cardiac Rehab

Phase I begins when you are in the hospital and is ordered by your doctor. During your stay, you will start with supervised activity and receive education about heart disease. Cardiac rehabilitation will help you understand your heart condition and prepare you for potential lifestyle changes.

Education

Individual education is offered on topics related to heart disease. Key topics include:

• Heart disease and risk factors
• Low-fat, low-cholesterol eating plan
• Home exercise program
• Activity guidelines

Exercise Sessions

Your doctor will prescribe activity to help your recovery. Your activity level will increase each day depending on your condition. Blood pressure, heart rate, heart rhythm and your tolerance are monitored.

Phase II: Outpatient

Phase II is designed to assist with recovery and adjustment to living with heart disease. Most often, it starts within one to three weeks after discharge from the hospital. Exercise, risk factor assessment and lifestyle changes are the focus in this phase. The program combines exercise sessions and education classes. Participants identify personal risk factors and learn how to make lifestyle changes. Phase II varies in length, depending on your physical condition and personal goals.

Education

• Individual review of heart disease and risk factors
• Make choices and start positive lifestyle changes
• Stress management and relaxation classes
• Nutrition classes discussing sodium, fat, cholesterol, eating out and weight control
• Counseling and support for lifestyle change

Exercise Sessions

Exercise sessions take place three days per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Various types of exercise and activities are offered to meet your needs, including:

• Heart rhythm monitoring
• Heart rate and blood pressure evaluations
• Resistance training
• Home exercise program

Phase III: Maintenance

Phase III is the maintenance phase of cardiac rehabilitation. Phase III offers exercise and education in a less supervised program. It provides the participant a supportive environment in which to maintain lifestyle changes. Group support is an essential part of this phase.

Exercise Sessions

Exercise sessions take place three days per week. Various types of exercise sessions (tailored to meet your needs) will be ordered by your doctor, including:

• Heart rate and blood pressure evaluation
• Supervised exercise and activities
• Resistance training

There is a cost for cardiac rehabilitation. Medicare covers 100% of cardiac rehabilitation while in the hospital. For Phase II, Medicare covers 80% and most co-insurance covers the remaining 20%. Other insurances vary on the amount and type of coverage for cardiac rehabilitation. If this is a concern, call your insurance carrier.

If you are not from the Rapid City area, check to see if there is a cardiac rehabilitation program in your area. The cardiac rehabilitation staff and your doctor will be happy to refer you to a program near you.

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Rapid City Regional Hospital Home

Rapid City Regional Hospital
Cardiac Services Department
353 Fairmont Blvd.
Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone:(605) 719-8045
Fax:(605) 719-4354