Cardiac Rehab


Iroquois Memorial's Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is designed for patients recovering from a heart attack, open heart surgery, angioplasty, or stable angina pectoris.

The Purpose of the Program

Our goal is to provide comprehensive care intended to restore and to maintain optimum physical, psychological, social, vocational, and recreational status in heart patients.

How It Works

Patients must be referred to the program by their family doctor or their cardiologist. There are three phases to the program.

PHASE I

This process begins in the hospital and is designed to accelerate recovery following a heart attack or diagnosis of a heart condition. This phase usually consists of education and mild exercise.

PHASE II

This intermediate phase is based in the hospital but is designed as outpatient therapy. The purpose is to improve the overall physical condition of the participant through a monitored program of exercise. Individualized exercise prescription will be determined from stress test results. Education is offered to assist the patient and family in evaluating risk factors and adjusting to necessary changes in lifestyle.

It is not necessary to have had Phase I at Iroquois Memorial Hospital, but after being hospitalized elsewhere, Phase II can be started at Iroquois Memorial Hospital. Any hospital or physician may refer patients to the program that meet diagnosis criteria.

PHASE III

The third phase of the program has been developed to maintain the status achieved in Phase II. This involves the use of the exercise equipment with periodic monitoring.

Phase III is a life-long program to maintain the improved health status achieved during Phase II.

LUCKY HEARTS

Lucky Hearts is an optional program provided by the IMH Cardiac Rehab staff. It provides support and education with the goal of achieving optimal heart health.

Lucky Hearts meets at 1:30 p.m. at IMH on the second Tuesday of every other month starting in February. Lucky Hearts is for anyone interested in heart health and is strongly encouraged for the cardiac rehab patient and their families.

The format for the group meetings changes from meeting to meeting. Local physicians, pharmacists, nurses, dietitians and other professionals present topics of interest. Group discussion is always encouraged as the purpose of Lucky Hearts is mutual support among people who have optimal heart health interest.

Why Participate in Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Structured cardiac rehabilitation offers several potential benefits:

* Cardiovascular and general physical fitness
* Enhanced quality of daily life
* Reduced occupational losses and future health care costs
* Enhanced self-confidence and self-image
* Reduced blood pressure and heart rate at rest
* Efficient cardiac response (only small heart rate/blood pressure increases) to sudden physical or emotional demands
* Improve physical stamina
* Reduce probability of having another or an initial heart attack; reduced probability a subsequent attack will be severe

When and How Long Does An Individual Participate in Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Your doctor usually refers patients to Phase II cardiac rehabilitation after hospital discharge following a heart attack or cardiac surgery.

Phase II exercise sessions meet for an hour on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Informal education and counseling is ongoing.

The duration of Phase II is 8 to 12 weeks, depending on individual exercise progress.

How is Cardiac Rehabilitation Provided?

The education and exercise components of the Program are provided by our staff, cardiac rehabilitation nurses, cardiologist, nutritionists and social workers.

The Business Office assists participants with insurance matters. The cardiac rehabilitation program is covered by many major medical insurance plans, including Medicare.

For More Information

If you have any further questions about the IMH Cardiac Rehabilitation Program or about any of the other services of Iroquois Memorial Hospital, call 815-432-7773 or toll-free 800-242-2731 ext. 7773.