The Cardiac Rehabilitation Department at Down East Community Hospital offers an adult exercise program specially designed for patients at risk of or with a history of heart disease. The goal is to strengthen their heart and return to normal activities of daily living.

    Candidates for the program include those people who:

    • Have had a heart attack
    • Have been diagnosed with angina
    • Have had coronary artery bypass surgery
    • Have had pacemaker or heart valve surgery
    • Have had a heart transplant

    The program runs three days a week:  Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and is overseen by a specially trained cardiac rehabilitation RT (Respiratory Therapist) or RN (Registered Nurse) and physician. Each session is for one hour.

    With a physician’s referral, patients may attend Cardiac Rehabilitation exercise and nutrition classes.

    Cardiac Rehabilitation is a medically monitored exercise program designed for patients who have had a recent heart illness or surgery/procedure. This program mixes exercise with risk factor modification. It is an individually designed program that consists of a variety of exercises which helps to recondition and improve the physical working capacity of the heart. There is continuous cardiac monitoring during the entire session. This program typically runs for 12 weeks with sessions scheduled three times a week. The nurse works collaboratively with the physician and at regular intervals sends out reports to the doctor to monitor your progress.  We also provide a referral to our dietician for healthy diet modification.

    The nurse also provides education on behavior modification and ways to decrease your risk for further heart problems. This is also done on an individual basis to best suit your needs.

    Why is Cardiac Rehab Important? 
    Each year hundreds of thousands of men and women regain a productive and healthier life after a heart event or surgery by committing themselves to a series of exercise sessions and education classes designed to restore their quality of life.

    Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation

    • Structured and safe place to progressively exercise
    • Builds confidence to increase independence
    • Quicker recovery to get back to active lifestyle
    • Provides a place to experience social support from others
    • Reduces heart events and future hospital visits by 25%
    • Known to improve both quality and quantity of life

    Educational information managing Cardiovascular Disease:

    • Nutrition information
    • Healthy shopping and dining out tips
    • Minimizing fats and cholesterol
    • Exercise and weight loss benefits
    • Stress management
    • Smoking cessation
    • Controlling Diabetes

    For more information call the Cardiac Rehabilitation department at 255-0255.