Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised program that helps improve the health and well-being of people who have heart problems. The outpatient program includes customized exercise training, education on heart healthy living, and counseling to reduce stress and help you return to an active life.

Who needs Cardiac Rehab? 

Cardiac rehab can help benefit those who have had:

• Heart attack
• Heart surgery
• Recent angioplasty or stent placement
• Heart valve repair or replacement
• Heart or lung transplant
• Heart failure
• Stable chest pain
• Other heart conditions or risk factors

What are the benefits of cardiac rehab?

• Reduce your overall risk of future heart related health problems
• Improve your overall health by reducing heart disease related risk factors
• Reduce hospitalizations
• Improve your quality of life and make it easier for you to work, exercise, and perform daily activities.
• Improve your mood and reduce stress

Cardiac rehab is divided into phases that involve monitored exercise, nutritional counseling, emotional support, and education about lifestyle changes to reduce your risks of heart problems. Outpatient cardiac rehab begins at Phase II.

Phase II Cardiac Rehab

This phase takes place in a medically supervised outpatient setting usually 1-4 weeks after you are home. During this phase, you will be closely monitored by specially trained clinicians, to see how exercise effects your heart and how you progress during your treatment. A customized exercise plan will be designed for you based on your input, medical history, and any prescribed care by your referring physician. You'll also receive education on healthy heart living, including nutritional counseling and stress reduction.

Phase III Cardiac Rehab

This phase is a maintenance program for heart patients who have completed Phase II or need less supervision and monitoring. This phase is designed to reinforce and enhance the heart healthy lifestyle lessons you have learned. Phase III is a self-pay, medically supervised exercise program.

Fit for Life*

After you have completed Phase II and/or Phase III, you can join the DMC's Fitness Center for a complete exercise program, including muscular strength and endurance activities to compliment your cardiovascular exercise program. This phase is for those who are comfortable exercising independently with little to no supervision.

Patient Education

• Nutrition and weight loss
• Stress management
• Behavior and lifestyle modification
• Proper exercise including a home exercise program
• Cardiac tests and procedures

* Only available at Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan's Brasza Outpatient location