Understanding how and when to exercise your heart after a cardiac event or surgery helps improve your quality of life and prevent a future heart attack or stroke. Care teams at Ascension St. Vincent's in Birmingham, Alabama listen to understand you and your health concerns. Then, we work with you to create a cardiac rehabilitation care plan that’s right for you.
We provide outpatient Cardiac and Pulmonary rehabilitation at Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham. Your medically-supervised exercise plan includes working out on fitness equipment that monitors your heart and lungs. Our program is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and recognized for delivering high-quality care.
Manage your recovery with cardiac rehabilitation
Your care team includes nurses, exercise physiologists, and dietitians who specialize in strengthening your heart and lungs and helping you manage your symptoms. During your visits, we discuss your medications, symptoms, home exercise program, nutrition and lifestyle changes that can help lower your cholesterol, blood pressure and improve your overall health. We also help you cope with stress by providing support to you and your family.
A doctor's referral is required to participate in the program. Medicare Part B and other private health insurance plans provide a covered benefit for participating in cardiac rehabilitation. Your care plan includes consistent sessions that may span 6-12 weeks or more. Being in the program is based on your heart condition and recent heart surgery or procedure, such as:
- Bypass surgery
- Congestive heart failure
- Coronary stent or angioplasty
- Heart attack
- Heart transplant or heart pump
- Heart valve replacement or repair
- Treatment for angina
Program features and benefits
Our cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program focuses on:
- Controlling weight and improving cholesterol levels
- Creating healthy lifestyle habits and managing stress
- Increasing self-confidence
- Reducing your symptoms and helping to prevent another cardiac event
- Returning to work and activities of daily living
- Strengthening and conditioning your heart and lungs
- Understanding your medications and how to manage your heart condition
Your care doesn’t end after completing your cardiac rehabilitation program. We also connect you with community fitness and wellness programs.
