Palm Beach Garden Medical Center's Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Strives to Improve Patients' Quality of Life

Think you’re too old for cardiac rehabilitation? Think cardiac rehabilitation is only for men who have had a heart attack? Think again. Men and women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds can improve their overall health with cardiac rehabilitation if they have had a heart attack, stable angina, coronary artery bypass graft(s), angioplasty or stent, heart valve repair or replacement or a heart transplant.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a customized, medically supervised program designed to improve the health and well-being of people who have experienced heart problems. It can help you recover after a heart attack, prevent hospital stays and heart problems in the future, deal with risk factors that can cause coronary heart disease and help you start living a healthier lifestyle. Ultimately, cardiac rehabilitation can reduce your risk of developing heart problems and improve your quality of life.

The award-winning Heart Institute at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center is proud to have a cardiac rehabilitation program that allows for continuity of care. The goal of the program is to stabilize, slow or even reverse the progression of cardiovascular disease by addressing the patient’s physical, mental and social functioning through exercise, nutrition, behavior modification, counseling and education. The Heart Institute at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center has received numerous awards and recognition for its cardiac care from reputable organizations such as Healthgrades, The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association. 

Cardiac patients may begin the 12-week outpatient rehabilitation program as soon as one week after discharge. The program consists of three one-hour sessions per week. The rehab center is supervised by registered nurses with strong cardiac clinical skills, and patients are monitored before, during and after exercise. A doctor referral is required for participation.

Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center’s rehab program has four main components:

• A medical evaluation is conducted when the program starts to assess your physical abilities, medical limitations and other conditions. Your progress will be tracked throughout rehabilitation to customize the program to meet your individual needs and ensure your safety.
• Physical activities such as walking or biking help improve cardiovascular fitness, while resistance training with weights is used to stretch and condition muscles. Don’t worry if you haven’t been active before. Exercises are introduced at a comfortable pace and you will be taught proper form and techniques.
• Lifestyle education involves following a healthy eating plan by learning how to plan meals that meet your caloric needs. Your cardiac rehabilitation team also works with you to control risk factors for heart problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking.
• Counseling is available to help you reduce stress by managing situations that could cause anxiety or depression.

Cardiac rehabilitation is recommended by both the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology. Even after your cardiac rehabilitation program ends, you will need to continue to follow the diet and exercise routine you have established to maintain the heart-healthy benefits. Making this long-term commitment will help you return to a normal schedule and rebuild your life.

For more information on Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center's nationally accredited pulmonary and cardiac rehab, please call 561-776-8584.