Phase I: Initiated after a cardiac event during the hospital phase of your treatment.

Phase II: Paid by private insurance companies or Medicare, depending on your diagnosis. Phase II includes routine heart monitoring during exercise.

Medicare covers cardiac rehab if your physician has diagnosed you with one or more of the following diagnoses in the last 12 months:

• Heart attack
• Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)
• Valve replacements
• Stents
  
• Stable angina

Phase III: A maintenance program for patients who have completed Phase II or merely have risk factors for heart disease and desire to exercise in a structured and safe environment. There is a nominal fee per session for this service.

A sample of topics covered in phase III:

• How the heart works
• CAD, Angina
• Hypertension
• Smoking
• Stress
• Diabetes
• Cholesterol
• Medications
• CHF, Low Sodium Diet
• Diet - Heart Healthy

Weight Management

Scientific studies show that successful weight management requires attention to both food and exercise. You are already building good exercise habits being enrolled in Cardiac Rehab. This 10-week program led by a registered dietician will help you develop healthy food habits that favor weight management. There are five group sessions held 2-3 weeks apart; these will address portion sizes, making healthy choices and eating frequency. Between group meetings, your cardiac rehab nurse will also check in with you.

Keys to Heart Health

• Exercise - Regular physical activity that is tailored to your individual abilities, needs and interests.
• Education - Learning about risk factors, treatments and strategies for self-management.
• Behavior Change - Learning specific skills to enable you to start healthy behaviors such as quitting smoking or beginning a heart healthy diet.