Overview of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Loyola Medicine
Loyola Medicine is proud to offer a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program that is divided into three phases for patients in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs who have experienced a cardiac event or cardiac surgery.
Enrolling in Loyola’s cardiac rehab program at select Loyola Medicine locations can help you improve your long-term quality of life.
Our cardiac rehabilitation program is a medically monitored exercise and education program that includes three phases of the general cardiac rehabilitation process.
In all phases, our program focuses on risk factor education, body strengthening and risk reduction for another cardiac event.
Our program is recommended for patients who have experienced any of the following cardiac events:
Loyola is committed to helping you tailor a cardiac rehabilitation plan that is right for you. In all treatment plans, we promote the life skills necessary to improve heart health, resume routine and regain your normal activity levels.
What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?
A cardiac rehabilitation program is a medical program that can help you safely strengthen your heart. It can build strength and increase your confidence. Cardiac rehabilitation may be recommended by your doctor after heart surgery and also helps after a heart attack.
Certified clinical exercise specialists or registered nurses and cardiac nurses monitor patients during cardiac rehabilitation. Our team are also specially trained in cardiac rehabilitation, ensuring the highest quality of care for each patient.
For patients are recovering from a heart condition or procedure and participate in cardiac rehabilitation, there are generally three phases that patients will go through:
Phase I Cardiac Rehabilitation
Phase I of our cardiac rehabilitation program occurs after you have experienced a heart condition or underwent a heart procedure. Examples of heart conditions or procedures that require cardiac rehabilitation include:
As you recover from your condition or procedure in the hospital, our experts will monitor and assess your ability to move and how the movements affects your heart, educate you on any risk factors related to your heart condition, offer different preventative tips to lower risk factors for your heart condition, develop safe exercises to help with your mobility during your hospital recovery, assist with enrolling you in Phase II of our cardiac rehabilitation program and more.
Generally, this phase of cardiac rehabilitation starts soon after you experience a heart condition or undergo a heart procedure and happens while you recover in the hospital.
Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation
Phase II of our cardiac rehabilitation program is designed for patients who had a recent cardiac diagnosis, surgery or procedure. It starts two to four weeks after your hospital discharge. Normally, your cardiologist will write a prescrption or order to enter a Phase II cardiac rehab program as well as a pre- and post-cardiac stress test.
In Phase II of our program, our instructor will create your rehab program for you. The program amy include physical exercise, strength training and stretching exercises. You may also learn about heart-healthy lifestyle changes.
Each day, you will have your heart rhythm checked with an EKG. You will also have your weight and blood pressure checked. In many cases, insurance companies may pay for up to 12 weeks of this type of cardiac rehab.
Phase III Cardiac Rehabilitation
Our Phase III exercise program is designed for patients who have known heart disease, with risk factors for heart disease or for those wanting to improve their overall heart health. Like Phase II, medical professionals supervise the Phase III exercise program.
You can join our Phase III exercise program without attending Phase II of our program, and can continue the program as long as you desire.
In Phase III exercise programs, you will have your blood pressure and heart rate checked each day and will also learn about the types of physical activity that benefit your heart.
Phase III of our cardiac rehabilitation program is only offered at MacNeal Hospital.
Supervised Exercise Therapy (SET) Program at MacNeal
MacNeal Hospital also offers a special form of cardiac rehab for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD/PVD), the Supervised Exercise Therapy (SET) program. Your insurance may cover these classes for up to 12 weeks. The classes can help people with leg pain from peripheral artery disease.
What Should I Expect During Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Typically, your heart rate, weight and blood pressure will be checked during during each cardiac rehabilitation session. You may do aerobic exercises like running on a treadmill, bicycling or rowing.
You may also do strength training, weight lifting, stretching and balance training. Your cardiac rehab instructor may also discuss lifestyle changes that can help your heart and will make sure that your program is right for your specific needs. They will make sure you feel comfortable throughout each session.
