Cardiac Rehabilitation is the process  of actively assisting heart patients and high risk individuals to achieve and maintain optimal states of health. This program is for the individual with coronary artery disease who has been treated medically or surgically.

The program is designed to provide progressive exercise and education with medical supervision. Cardiac Rehabilitation's primary goal is to enable the individual to achieve a personal level of optimal physical and psychological health.

Participation
Participation is dependent on physician referral. Each patients' physician receives monthly progress reports. Physicians are also informed any time a change in condition is noted.

Insurance Coverage
Most major insurance companies, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, cover all or part of the cost for participants who qualify. Because all policies vary, patients are encouraged to check with their insurance company for specific coverage.

Program Phases
Cardiac Rehabilitation occurs in two phases, accommodating the needs of all patients experiencing heart problems at any level.

Phase 1: Inpatient Program
Phase 1 is designed for hospitalized individuals who have experienced a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or other heart problems. This phase includes light exercise for the participant, as well as education for both the patient and family.

Phase 2: Outpatient Program
Phase 2 is a 12-week program generally beginning after discharge from the hospital or when safely determined by a doctor. This consists of structured, individualized exercise to increase endurance early in recovery as well as education to assist he patient in making life style changes. Heart rate, heart rhythm and blood pressure are constantly monitored by a registered nurse. The program includes exercise sessions three times a week for about an hour. Sessions involve a warm up period, aerobic type exercise (performed on a treadmill, bicycle and arm ergometer) and end with a cool down period.

Sessions are conducted at the hospital, offering the opportunity to safely and confidently increase individual activity levels through the structure and guidance of a trained personal cardiac rehabilitation professional.

For More information Contact 1-800-ALEGENT (1-800-253-4368) or e-mail.