Cardiac Rehabilitation

Research suggests that cardiac patients who receive support and education achieve better outcomes. Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised exercise and education program designed for heart disease patients.  Cardiac rehab helps patients improve their heart health, reduce their risk factors, and increase their endurance.  Cardiologists receive progress updates throughout the program, and primary care physicians receive a comprehensive report at the end of the program. ProHealth Care's cardiac rehab is tailored to meet the individual needs, goals, abilities and interests of each patient.

Phase I:  Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise & Guidelines

Patients begin benefitting from cardiac rehab while in the hospital recovering from a heart procedure. Cardiac rehab staff supervise patient exercise while measuring pulse oximetry, heart rate, and blood pressure. Risk factors and medications are also reviewed. Cardiac rehab staff will develop exercise guidelines for each patient based on the patient's individual needs. Phase I cardiac rehab takes place in the Heart Care Unit of Waukesha Memorial Hospital in Southeast Wisconsin.

Phase II:  Cardiac Rehabilitation Program & Specialists

Phase II cardiac rehab typically starts within 1-2 weeks of a cardiac event. Patients exercise for 4-12 weeks (determined by each patient's needs and goals), monitored by cardiac rehab nurses, physicians, therapists and exercise specialists. Patients exercise while wearing a telemetry monitor, which allows cardiac rehab specialists to monitor each patient's heart rhythms.

At each visit, patients receive risk factor counseling and education about making lifestyle changes.  Pharmacists, Registered Dietitians and other specialists have a role in educating Phase II cardiac rehab patients.  Phase II is available at Waukesha Memorial Hospital in the Professional Office Building, and at the Oconomowoc Physician Center in Southeast Wisconsin.

Phase III & IV:  Cardiac Rehabilitation Maintenance / EXCEL

While continuing to have their blood pressure, weight and medications professionally tracked, EXCEL (EXercise, Counseling and Education for Lifetime) members exercise without telemetry but continue to benefit from education and the support of medical staff.  EXCEL is available at Waukesha Memorial Hospital in the Professional Office Building, and at the Oconomowoc Physician Center in Southeast Wisconsin.

A physician prescription is required to start cardiac rehab.  Talk to your doctor if you are interested or have more questions about cardiac rehab.