Inpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation

Video: Cardiac Rehabilitation Physical activity is healthy for your heart—even after you've had a heart attack or bypass surgery. It's important to start out slowly, under the supervision of cardiac rehab specialists. In this video, you'll learn what's involved in cardiac rehab and how it can benefit your health in the long term.

Inpatient Cardiac Rehab is a progressive exercise and education program for patients who are admitted at College Station Medical Center. Participation in this program requires an order from the admitting or a consulting physician. Diagnoses that are appropriate for inpatient cardiac rehab may include, but are not limited to acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), coronary bypass surgery, heart valve repair/replacement surgery, PTCA (angioplasty), congestive heart failure, and cardiomyopathy.

The exercise program focuses primarily on progressive ambulation in the room and the hallways. Cardiac Rehab staff members work with patients at least one time daily. Patients are encouraged to perform seated range of motion exercises independently several times a day throughout their hospitalization. As a patient’s strength and endurance improves, the patient is encouraged to ambulate with family/friends in addition to working with the Cardiac Rehab staff.

During the course of a patient’s hospital stay, a member of the Cardiac Rehab staff will discuss the following topics: heart disease basics, hospital activity progression, risk factor reduction, healthy nutrition, guidelines for activity at home, safety precautions with activity, heart attack/stroke warning signs, and outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Patients also receive education materials on heart disease and risk factor reduction.

Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation

Outpatient Cardiac Rehab is a medically-supervised exercise and education program that meets 2-3 times a week for up to 12 weeks. Participants are eligible for Cardiac Rehab if they have had a recent myocardial infarction (heart attack), angioplasty, stent placement, coronary artery bypass surgery, valve repair/replacement surgery, documented stable angina, or heart transplant.

By enrolling in our program, you will receive the following:

• Comprehensive pre/post assessments on your Cardiac Risk Factors, Nutritional Intake, Exercise Tolerance and Quality of Life.
• Exercise prescription that is tailored individually and adjusted each week with progress reports sent to your doctor.
• EKG telemetry monitoring as well as blood pressure and heart rate monitoring during exercise by our clinical staff throughout the program.
• Education classes after each exercise session on the following topics: Anatomy and Physiology of Heart Disease, Risk Factor Reduction, Heart Healthy Nutrition, Reading Food Labels, Weight Management, Cardiac Medications, Stress Management, Relaxation Techniques, Benefits of Exercise, Advance Directives, Warning Signs of a Heart Attack and Stroke, and Goal Setting. Family members are encouraged to attend the education sessions with the participant.
• One-on-one session with a dietician to establish your nutrition goals and develop a plan to achieve those goals.
• Education manual and additional materials detailing your personal risk factors for heart disease and cardiac risk reduction strategies.
• Individualized home exercise program and summary of your progress when you complete the program.

The goals of the program include:

• Improving the cardiovascular health of the participant through exercise and education on risk factor reduction.
• Reducing the risk of a future cardiovascular event.
• Returning the participant to desired work and/or personal interest activities.

A physician referral is required to participate in outpatient Cardiac Rehab. Medicare and most insurances cover Cardiac Rehabilitation, however, you are encouraged to check with your individual plan since coverage may vary.

For more information, contact: Terri Cooper, MS CES, Lead Exercise Physiologist

Phone: 979-680-5420
Fax: 979-680-5429
Location: The Therapy Center, 1602E Rock Prairie Road, Suite 4100, College Station, TX 77845
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:15-9:30 a.m. and 1:15-2:30 p.m.

Healthy Hearts Program

Take control of your health and reduce your risk of a heart attack and stroke.

The Healthy Hearts Program at College Station Medical Center is designed for people who have 2 or more risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, overweight, smoking, diabetes). The program consists of 8 exercise sessions with a small group and 6 education classes on heart healthy topics.

By enrolling in our program, you will receive the following:

• Comprehensive initial assessments on your Cardiac Risk Factors, Nutritional Intake, Exercise Tolerance and Quality of Life.
• Exercise prescription that is tailored individually and adjusted each week with updates sent to your doctor.
• Telemetry monitoring for 2 sessions as well as blood pressure and heart rate monitoring during exercise by our clinical staff throughout the program.
• Education classes on the following topics: Risk Factor Reduction, Heart Healthy Nutrition, Weight Management, Cardiac Medications, Stress Management, and Exercise.
• Education manual and additional materials detailing your personal risk factors for heart disease and cardiac risk reduction strategies.
• Individualized home exercise program and summary of your progress when you complete the program.

You will need to have a doctor’s approval in order to participate in the program.

The cost of the program is $100 which covers the assessments, exercise sessions and monitoring, education classes, and materials.

For more information, contact: Terri Cooper, MS CES, Lead Exercise Physiologist

Phone: 979-680-5420
Fax: 979-680-5429
Location: The Therapy Center, 1602E Rock Prairie Road, Suite 4100, College Station, TX 77845
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday 8:15-9:30 a.m.