Cardiac rehabilitation

Allina Health Faribault Medical Center offers outpatient cardiac care for people with cardiovascular disease and people with increased cardiovascular risk factors. The cardiac rehabilitation program offers a comprehensive approach to managing these conditions through medically supervised exercise and education.

Program goals and benefits

The cardiac rehabilitation program improves patient’s physical condition and increases functional exercise capacity. Education regarding cardiovascular disease and the associated risk factors is provided. The program helps patients and their families cope with the emotional aspects of cardiovascular disease.

Eligible participants

Individuals with the following conditions may be eligible for the program:

angina pectoris or chest pain
myocardial infarction (heart attack)
cardiovascular surgery
coronary angioplasty / stent
hypertension coronary
artery disease

Evaluation

Upon physician referral to the cardiac rehabilitation program, each patient is given a monitored exercise test. Data obtained from the test is used to develop an individualized exercise prescription. Follow-up testing is done periodically to determine progress and adjust the exercise prescription.

Exercise

Our cardiac rehabilitation program is medically directed by an internal medicine physician and staffed by a registered nurse. The exercise sessions consist of one-hour exercise classes which meet three times per week. Each hour of therapy includes flexibility, endurance and relaxation exercises. The participant’s heart rate and rhythm are monitored continuously during the sessions. Blood pressure is recorded before, during and after each exercise session. Progress reports are provided to your physician at four week intervals. A final summary is sent upon completion of the program.

Education

The program offers weekly education sessions for patients and their families after the exercise session. Topics include:

anatomy and physiology
risk factor modification
smoking cessation
nutrition and weight control
medications
sexuality
stress and relaxation
vocational concerns
exercise and strength training
recovery

Participants are also invited to attend the cardiac support group, an optional program that meets once a month. The support group offers additional education and provides participants the opportunity to discuss their experience with others that also have cardiovascular disease.