How Should I Choose a Cardiac Rehab Program?

Choosing the best cardiac rehab program increases your odds of developing healthy habits and recovering fully from a heart attack. Cardiac rehabilitation programs vary from hospital to hospital, but each one contains a variety of programs. Your particular needs may help dictate which program you would be best suited for. Some of the services provided by a cardiac rehab program include counseling on nutrition as well as counseling to help better understand a particular health issue, guidance in developing an exercise program, emotional help in understanding new physical limitations as well as help in returning to work and counseling about the types and purposes of the variety of medications the patient may be required to take.

As you can see, there are a variety of facets to a cardiac rehab program. Unfortunately, the most well-designed program won’t be effective if the patient does not comply with its directives. For this reason, it is important to choose a cardiac rehab program that you can commit to. If you have the option of choosing a rehab program that has a stellar reputation, but you don’t care for the staff or the commute is long, it is unlikely that you will have good results.

The option of a less intensive program, with perhaps fewer options in counseling or exercise supervision, may not seem like the best choice. If you can devote yourself to spending time in the program and fully participating, you are more likely to have positive results. Any basic cardiac rehab program should improve your health after a heart attack, angioplasty or the development of congestive heart failure.

The one thing that should not be ignored when participating in a cardiac rehab program is the amount of physician supervision. It is important that cardiac rehab patients have regular access to a physician who monitors their condition. Often, the cardiac rehab program includes blood pressure, pulse and even EKG monitoring during exercise. This monitoring will do little unless there is a physician who regularly reviews the information.

In many cases, if a person suffers from a medical problem with their heart, they will have little choice in their initial referral to a cardiac rehab unit. In most cases, the care that is offered in these facilities is well-suited for each individual. If, however, you find yourself in a situation where the cardiac rehab program is not what you expected, does not provide the level of care you feel you need or you don’t get along well with the staff, request a transfer or seek another cardiac unit on your own.