Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
The Outpatient Cardiac Rehab program helps patients recovering from heart disease achieve optimal health and fitness through lifestyle modification. The Cardiac Rehab staff at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital helps by providing motivation, guidance and education.
Cardiac rehab is a team effort and education is a key component. A series of classes on heart health are taught by dieticians, social workers, pharmacists, and specialists in exercise and stress management.
The cardiac rehab program operates five days per week. Participants typically attend one-hour sessions three days a week in which they exercise for ten minutes each on four different pieces of equipment, such as a treadmill, rowing machine, Stairmaster, elliptical trainer, stationary cycle or recumbent cycle. Staff members are present to observe the exercise, counsel the participant, measure blood pressure and pulse and evaluate cardiac rhythm.
Participants also are provided motivational and educational materials and classes such as diet, stress management, exercise self-monitoring and coronary risk factors. Social and recreational activities occasionally are held.
What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive exercise and risk factor management program through which staff members:
- teach patients how the heart works
- educate patients about their specific cardiac risk factors and how to manage them in daily life
- develop an individualized exercise and basic strength training program
- provide stress management counseling
- help develop an appropriate dietary plan
Who Can Participate?
Patients with a history of:
- heart attack
- coronary bypass surgery
- angioplasty or artherectomy or stent
- heart valve replacement or repair
- stable angina
- heart transplant
- heart failure
- serious risk of developing coronary artery disease
- ICD/pacemaker
- other cardiovascular procedures
Program Length
Outpatient cardiac rehab is covered by insurance and consists of three weekly sessions over a three month period. Sessions include a warm-up, cardiovascular work on various pieces of equipment and, often, weight training. Patients who are maintaining their cardiac health may continue on a self-pay basis.
Interdisiplinary Professional Team
The Inova Rehabilitation Center's interdisciplinary team includes the following professionals:
- physiatrists (rehab physicians)
- case managers
- rehabilitation nurses
- physical therapists
- occupational therapists
- speech/language pathologists
- therapeutic recreation specialists
- neuropsychologists
- social workers
- respiratory therapists
- dietitians
- chaplain
These professionals are committed to helping patients achieve their highest level of independent functioning and preventing long-term complications.
