Actively working towards healthy hearts

The Healthy Heart Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is a structured preventative and/or rehabilitation exercise program. The program is designed for individuals recovering from a heart attack, heart surgery, or those prone to cardiac disease. Those prone to cardiac disease may fall into one or more of the following categories:

• High cholesterol and/or high triglycerides
• Hypertension
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Strong Family History of Coronary Heart Disease
• Cigarette Smokers
• Obese Individuals

The program is conducted with the guidance of a hospital appointed medical director who is a Board Certified Cardiologist. Participants in the program are prescribed an individualized exercise prescription and diet by a team of health professionals including registered nurses, an exercise physiologist and a registered dietician. The program is divided into four phases, each designed to meet the needs and abilities of each participant:

Phase I: An inpatient exercise program, which includes flexibility and range of motion exercises and low-level walking.

Phase II: Designed primarily for patients who are recovering from a heart attack, heart surgery or have experienced angina and require close supervision in an exercise program.

Phase III: Individuals may continue exercising in our ongoing Phase III program. Those who are prone to cardiac disease or anyone who wants close supervision may also join. Individuals without previous cardiac history may participate in this phase if they have a physician order and at lease one factor for cardiac disease.

Phase IV: For those who wish to continue their exercise program after the Phase III program and understand the concepts of aerobic exercise.

The Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is part of The Heart Institute at Saint Anthony, located in Saint Anthony Medical Center. For more information call 219.757.6141.