Overview
What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation is a program of exercise, behavior change and education designed to improve the physical and emotional condition of individuals with a heart problem. Candidates for cardiac rehabilitation include all individuals who have had a heart problem including angina, heart attack, bypass and valve surgery, angioplasty, and heart failure. Cardiac rehabilitation is prescribed to control symptoms, increase exercise tolerance, and improve the overall quality of life for patients.
Cardiac rehabilitation is overseen by a specialized team of doctors, nurses, physical therapists, an exercise physiologist, and other healthcare professionals. While cardiac rehabilitation begins in the hospital (known as Phase 1), it continues on an outpatient basis after the patient is discharged over a period of 3 to 6 months (Phase 2). Long-term exercise maintenance programs are also available (Phase 3).
The risks of a heart attack during cardiac rehabilitation are small, and are greatly reduced by careful, continuous monitoring of the patient. In fact, the risk of NOT doing cardiac rehabilitation is a much greater risk than the risk of doing cardiac rehabilitation. While the outcome of the cardiac rehabilitation program depends on a number of factors, almost all patients who complete the program will increase their level of physical activity and be able to return to the workforce and/or other daily activities.
Along with our cardiac rehabilitation program, we also offer these other special “risk reduction programs”:
Healthy Heart Weight Loss Program
Healthy Heart for Diabetes
Healthy Heart for Seniors
Healthy Heart for Peripheral Artery Disease (leg cramps with walking)
Healthy Heart for Chronic Heart Failure
Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Certification
The cardiac rehabilitation program at Fletcher Allen Health Care is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). AACVPR is the premier national organization with a mission to reduce morbidity, mortality, and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research, and aggressive disease management. Our certification assures that you are enrolled in a program that meets or exceeds national care standards. Furthermore, our cardiac rehabilitation program at Fletcher Allen is nationally and internationally recognized for its quality and innovation.
Getting Started at Cardiac Rehabilitation:
We invite you to come and visit us at our cardiac rehab facility in South Burlington. If you were recently in the hospital, you are welcome to come to a group visit we have every Friday at 10:30 A.M. At this time, our nurse clinician will explain what cardiac rehab is all about. If you prefer, a one-on-one visit can be arranged for a different day or time. Please call (847-4514) or e-mail deborah.johnson@vtmednet.org if you wish to make an appointment.
Hours
Office hours 8-4:30
Various exercise programs are available from 6:30 AM to 6 PM. Please call for details.
Testimonials
The Fletcher Allen cardiac rehabilitation program provided me with the tools and the personal support I needed to get both my physical health and mental well being back on track and to return to a normal life. Cardiac rehab was far more than providing a space with exercise equipment. The staff really care about the people who have put their recovery in their hands. Not only do they design a program tailored to your specific needs and capabilities, monitor your progress and push you to succeed but they are right there with you every step of the way. This provides a comfort level that can’t be measured but is appreciated by me more than I could ever put into words. The rehab program got me back to normal. Better than normal actually and it continues keeping me healthy because I have elected to use the Fletcher Allen rehab Phase 3 program for my long term health management. RH
I have very much enjoyed my cardiac rehab exercise program. It has helped me to improve my heart health. I look forward to seeing other friendly people as they exercise and rehab their hearts. There is a nice variety of equipment to help keep me moving. Best of all is the therapists. They are always close by and go “above and beyond” to offer a helping hand. Thank you for all you have done. AG
Since going to cardiac rehabilitation the staff has helped me to build up my endurance and strength after heart surgery. The facility and the encouragement of the staff has made it a comfortable and safe environment. I look forward to going each time knowing that it has helped me gain confidence and increase knowledge of a better and healthy lifestyle. DH
The staff does a wonderful job at cardiac rehabilitation. Your informative approach to many topics and cheerful - and sometimes humorous - attitude actually make it a pleasure to work-out. Always positive, you make people like me believe we can improve our heart health through exercise, so keep up the great work that you do. JH
The professionals at Fletcher Allen cardiac rehab set up a work-out plan specifically for me to reach the goals that we had set. I have been able to strengthen my heart and whole body with their personal attention and monitoring. I have also had a chance to make new friends with a similar cardiac problem. MG
The staff at cardiac rehab has mastered the art of professionalism and patience, combined with a ready smile and a word of encouragement to all who come. Many thanks for the work you do. RP
Your kindness and caring work here at cardiac rehab does a lot to get me and others back to feeling much better. The staff makes a great team and I thank you so very much. BB
