Rehabilitation
Have you recently been diagnosed with a heart problem? Or have you just experienced a heart attack, angina or gone through cardiac bypass surgery? Are you and your family wondering what the next step is in your recovery?
Baylor can provide you with an answer. Through participation in cardiac rehabilitation, you can keep yourself on the road to recovery.
What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation's main goal is to assist you in developing a healthy lifestyle plan.
Your plan will include two major components: monitored physical activity and education.
Monitored physical activity allows you to gradually increase the efficiency of your heart and lungs, strengthen your body's muscles and, at the same time, helps you gain the confidence you need to return to activities of daily living. Activity sessions are designed to meet your personal needs, interests and abilities.
Through education, you'll begin to understand your heart condition and ways to reduce your risk for future heart problems. Baylor will help you develop a realistic plan for lowering your heart disease risk factors and you will participate in nutrition and stress management sessions.
Baylor's program is nationally certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) and is composed of a multidisciplinary team of professionals specially trained to accommodate individual patient needs.
How Will I Benefit From Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Based upon an individual's goals, the benefits received from cardiac rehabilitation may vary. Your benefits may include:
- Strengthening and conditioning of your heart and lungs
- Controlling weight and lowering total cholesterol levels
- Understanding your medications, the signs and symptoms of heart disease and when to seek medical attention
- Increasing self-confidence
- Laying the groundwork for the development of a healthier lifestyle
- Reducing your symptoms and chances of experiencing another cardiac event
- Earlier return to work and activities of daily living
- Developing coping and stress reduction skills as well as relaxation techniques
- Providing emotional support for you and your family
How Does the Program Work?
Our program is carefully designed to accommodate the individual needs of every cardiac patient. Participants typically spend 6 to 12 weeks in cardiac rehabilitation, attending three sessions per week. However, the length of your program may depend upon your goals, the progress of your recovery or your physician's recommendation.
During the group activity sessions, the cardiac rehabilitation team will be checking how you and your heart react and adapt to activity. You may be monitored with an ECG telemetry unit. You'll learn how to take your pulse, determine your exercise intensity and exercise at a level that allows you to receive maximum benefits.
Who is on the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team?
The Baylor Cardiac rehabilitation team draws from a wide array of health care professionals that may include cardiologists, internal medicine physicians, registered nurses, exercise specialists, registered dietitians, social workers and pharmacists. Your personal physician is provided with information about your recovery and progress.
However, the most important member of this team is you. As a team member, you are encouraged to follow your treatment plan, ask questions and report any symptoms or problems you may be experiencing.
Is Cardiac Rehabilitation Covered by My Insurance?
Your insurance may cover part or all of the cost of your cardiac rehabilitation sessions. Insurance coverage varies, so we will check with your insurance company to clarify the extent of your coverage.
Am I a Candidate for Cardiac Rehabilitation?
If you have been diagnosed with or treated for heart disease, or if you have experienced chest pain, a heart attack, bypass surgery, heart transplantation or a cardiac procedure (such as a coronary stent), you may be a candidate for cardiac rehabilitation. Even if you are at high risk for developing heart disease, cardiac rehabilitation may be the first step to assist you in reducing your risk.
How Do I Get Started?
Contact Baylor's cardiac rehabilitation program on the Dallas campus by calling (214) 820-2109. The cardiac rehabilitation team will assist you with the steps needed to start your program. Entrance into the program will require a physician referral. If you feel you could benefit from the program, you should discuss it with your physician and request a referral.
Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System's subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital or Baylor Health Care System. Photographs may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients.
