Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation

Helping Patients Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Southwest General is a multi-phase program designed to help patients with heart disease understand the need for lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation, regular aerobic exercise and eating right to name a few.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Care for Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients

Since 1980, Southwest General has provided cardiac rehabilitation to patients in the communities we serve. Our program is the result of a successful collaboration across many disciplines, including Physical Therapy, Nutrition Services, Nursing, Home Health Services, Spiritual Care, Pharmacy and Social Work. Such coordination of care helps patients achieve as complete a recovery as possible, learn about their hearts and learn how to reduce the risk of having future coronary events. To accommodate the busy schedules of our patients, we offer convenient, flexible scheduling, including evening hours.

Three-Phase Program Helps Patients at All Levels of Recovery

Our commitment to helping cardiac patients make necessary lifestyle changes is displayed through our three-phase cardiac rehabilitation program. Patients enter the program while still in the hospital and continue in the program after they return home. The program phases include:

Phase I

Phase I is an inpatient education program focusing on topics such as risk factors, diet, medication, sexual activity, exercise and daily activity. This information also can be accessed through Southwest General's in-house Patient Education Channel.

As part of a light exercise program, patients walk the halls or climb stairs under the supervision of the Cardiac Rehabilitation team. Patients may receive instruction about walking at home or using a stationary bike exercise program to continue increasing their cardiovascular fitness after being discharged.

Phase II

This phase offers a continuously monitored exercise program, coordinated by a team of health care professionals, for patients who have experienced one of the following: heart attack, chest pain (stable angina), congestive heart failure (CHF), bypass surgery, heart transplant, valve replacement and percutaneous coronary intervention (stents, angiography).

Cardiac Rehab Phase II offers day or evening exercise sessions at either Southwest General's Main Campus, in Middleburg Heights, or at the Strongsville Medical Center. An exercise prescription, issued by a patient's physician, is personalized to accommodate the patient’s specific needs and physical limitations. The patient's primary care physician and cardiologist will receive regular progress reports on the patient's recovery.

Exercise
Proven benefits from regular exercise include:

• Reduced risk of future cardiac events
• Reduced cholesterol levels
• Reduced stress
• Lower blood pressure
• Improved strength and endurance
• Improved breathing
• Improved circulation

Insurance Coverage
Cardiac Rehab Phase II is covered by most insurance plans. However, patients should check with their own insurance company regarding coverage.

Education and Support Groups
Weekly education programs and support groups are available. Program topics include:

• Heart-healthy nutrition and cooking demonstrations
• Cardiac medications
• Heart anatomy
• Stress management
• Aerobic exercise
• Emotions associated with heart disease
• Role of the spouse or significant other in recovery

Phase III

This phase is a medically supervised, ongoing group exercise program for anyone with heart disease or individuals who want to exercise to reduce coronary risk factors. This self-pay program is held at LifeWorks of Southwest General on Old Oak Boulevard, in Middleburg Heights and at Southwest General’s Strongsville Medical Center on Pearl Rd. A physician referral is required. For more information, call 440-816-4840.

We Look Forward to Helping You

For more information about Southwest General’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, please call 440-816-5772.