About Saint Thomas West

Cardiac Health and Rehabilitation is a hospital-based program which usually lasts for up to 36 visits. Our program offers monitored exercise sessions as well as life style modification classes. Exercise therapy is conducted 2-3 times a week under direct supervision of a registered nurse and exercise physiologist. Exercise is prescribed according to the participant’s abilities and increased as tolerated. Blood pressure, heart rate, heart rhythm, and overall response to exercise are carefully monitored. A variety of education topics including stress management and diet modification are included. This medically supervised 8 to 12 week program promotes heart-healthy lifestyle changes among individuals who recently experienced cardiac events. Our goal is to stabilize, slow or even reverse the progression of cardiovascular disease, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease, another cardiac event or death. Our registered nurse and certified exercise physiologist will design a personalized plan for each participant including an exercise program, medically supervised and monitored (EKG) exercise therapy, nutritional counseling by a registered dietitian and educational materials.