Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is a program that combines lifestyle changes, education and supervised physical activity to help patients recover after cardiac events. Cardiac rehab has been demonstrated to reduce the likelihood for re-hospitalization, complications of cardiac disease, and sudden death. Additional benefits of CR include improved quality of life and confidence with daily tasks. Patients report improvements in physical symptoms, blood pressure and lipid management, decrease in psychological distress, and marked improvement in quality of life.
Patients undergo a thorough evaluation by the clinical team before beginning the program. The evaluation includes an assessment of clinical history by our nursing team, lab work, and a stress test (if appropriate). Upon enrollment, a team of certified clinical exercise physiologists prescribes an exercise program individualized for each patient and works with each patient for up to 36 sessions. Patients also have weekly interaction with our registered dietitians and social work can be consulted as necessary. The staff reviews the medication and works with the primary care physician and cardiologist to assure the patient is compliant with evidence based therapy. The clinical team has successfully transitioned to a virtual instructional environment to insure continuation of the program during the COVID pandemic.
MCORRP students continue to support the on-going data collection and analysis in cardiac rehab, including analyzing data to determine outcomes and areas needing improvement.