Recover Stronger: Cardiac Rehab After a Heart Event

The days and weeks following a cardiac event or surgery can be challenging. It’s normal to feel nervous about leaving the watchful eye of your care team and returning home. You no doubt feel like you have more questions than answers. The biggest and most common question is ‘how do I avoid another event or surgery?’

While many factors play into the answer, one consistent element is cardiac rehab.

A comprehensive program designed to help people recover from heart conditions and improve cardiovascular health, CR has been proven to reduces the risk of a future cardiac event and can reverse the progression of heart disease.

Here are just a few of the demonstrated benefits:

• for every cardiac rehab session attended, the risk of death or rehospitalization declines by 2%

• attending even five sessions equated to a 10% significantly reduced risk of readmission or mortality

• attending 26 sessions of cardiac rehab lowers the risk of death by 47%

• cardiac rehab can reduce the risk of death from any cause by 53%  and the risk of cardiac-related death by 57%

• cardiac rehab can reduce the number of times a patient is readmitted to the hospital. 

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) is home to the only cardiac rehab program in southern Vermont. Certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, CR is recommended for anyone who has experienced a heart problem, such as a heart attack, angina, heart failure, or heart surgery.

The 12-week medically supervised program begins with an assessment of your physical health, stamina, and emotional well-being, plus a review of your lifestyle and habits. Programs are tailored to each patient’s needs and designed to strengthen the heart, address risk factors that may hinder progress, and develop new habits to improve heart health.

By the end of the program, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to maintain a healthier lifestyle and live confidently with your condition.

Patricia Ryan, RN, MSN, CCRP, is the cardiac rehabilitation program coordinator at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.