Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation helps you recover physically and emotionally after a heart attack or heart surgery. It can also improve life for people with long-term heart problems like angina or coronary artery disease. With the support of dietitians, counselors and physical therapists, we help you live a healthier life and give your heart a new beat.

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Heart recovery + wellness through cardiac rehabilitation

Your heart is a muscle, and keeping it healthy takes practice, dedication and time—just like any other muscle in your body. This is even more important if you're living with a condition that affects your heart.

With cardiac rehabilitation, our team of experts will guide you to improve your heart health. You'll do stretches and exercises like physical therapy. We'll also help you make lifestyle changes, like quitting tobacco, eating healthy and managing stress, so these habits become your new normal.

MelroseWakefield Hospital's Tracy Rochester, Physical Therapist at 888 Main showing patient how to use elliptical machine.

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Conditions

Your cardiologist may recommend cardiac rehabilitation to help you recover from heart surgery or conditions like:

Angina

Arrhythmia

Cardiac arrest

Cardiomyopathy

Congenital heart defects

Congestive heart failure

Coronary artery disease

Heart attack

Heart transplantation

Heart valve disorders

Hypertension

Peripheral arterial disease

Stroke

Valvular heart disease

Treatments

We bring together the best in heart health to create and manage your cardiac rehabilitation plan. Your team might include:

Together, we'll create a cardiac rehab plan to help you get stronger, improve your heart health and feel better every day. Your personalized plan may include:

Counseling services
Exercise
Nutritional education

FAQs

What is cardiac rehab?

Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised program designed to improve heart health and recovery after a heart attack, surgery and other heart-related issues. It includes exercise, education and support to help the heart get stronger and improve overall health. The goal is to help people feel better, reduce the risk of future heart problems and improve their quality of life.

What are the key components of cardiac rehab?

Physical activity: Structured exercise to strengthen the heart and improve fitness.
Education: Learn about heart health, risk factors, and healthy lifestyle choices.
Emotional support: Counseling and stress management techniques to support mental health.

How does cardiac rehab help?

Cardiac rehab helps by:

Improving cardiovascular fitness: Strengthens the heart, increases endurance and improves circulation.
Reducing risk factors: Helps manage conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
Prevents future heart problems: Lowers the risk of another heart attack and stroke.
Supports emotional well-being: Provides a supportive environment with other patients who are going through similar experiences, offering motivation and encouragement.

What are the benefits of cardiac rehab?

Cardiac rehab offers many benefits, including:

Improved heart health: Helps the heart function better and reduces strain.
Better quality of life: Increases energy levels, making daily activities easier.
Lifestyle changes: Encourages healthy habits like eating better, quitting smoking, and managing weight.
Faster recovery: Aids quicker recovery after heart events, helping people return to normal life sooner.

Who can benefit from cardiac rehab?

Cardiac rehab can benefit anyone recovering from:

A heart attack
Heart surgery (e.g., bypass or valve surgery)
Angioplasty
A chronic heart condition

What kind of long-term impact can cardiac rehab give?

Cardiac rehab can improve longevity and prevent future heart-related health issues when combined with a heart-healthy lifestyle. By enrolling in cardiac rehab, individuals can significantly enhance their recovery, reduce the likelihood of future heart issues and improve their overall health and quality of life.

How can I get cardiac rehab services? Do I need a referral?

To get started with cardiac rehab, talk to your doctor to find out if it's right for you and get a referral. Your doctor will help guide you through the process and ensure it's a good fit for your recovery needs.