Cardiac Rehab

Southcoast has one of the largest Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs in New England, with over 60,000 visits last year alone. The program helps heart patients develop healthier lifestyles through supervised exercise and education, and offers special programs for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes and respiratory problems.

All three hospitals now have pulmonary as well as cardiac rehab programs, helping patients with respiratory disease lead healthier lives. The Cardiac Rehab Team has also introduced a new exercise and eduction program for diabetic patients, who are at a high risk for developing serious heart disease.

Cardiac Rehabilitation is a structured exercise and education outpatient program for people who:

• Are recovering from a heart attack or heart surgery
• Have documented coronary heart disease
• Are at risk for developing coronary heart disease.

The program uses a multidisciplinary approach. Nurses, physical therapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, pharmacists, exercise physiologists and social workers participate in the program. Through education and exercise, the cardiac patients learn to improve their lifestyles to include habits that promote health.

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program offers individual exercise programs within a group setting, directed by health professionals. Classes are held for 90 minutes at various times throughout the day.

Most insurance policies cover this program. If you need assistance, financial counseling is available to help plan for your care.