Man taking part in cardiac rehabilitation at an Ascension site of care.

Cardiac and lung rehabilitation in Wisconsin

Cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular rehabilitation care teams at Ascension Wisconsin provide personalized care after surgery or a heart attack.
Find a Location

Cardiac rehabilitation care teams with Ascension Wisconsin are committed to providing the right recovery care for you after surgery. Many of our outpatient cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).

Manage your recovery with cardiac rehabilitation

Your care team listens to understand you and your health concerns. Then, we work with you and your doctor to create a cardiac rehabilitation plan that’s right for you. Our goal is to deliver care to help you quickly recover and get you back to the activities you love. Your nurses and exercise specialists work with you to strengthen your heart and lungs and help manage your symptoms. During cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, we monitor your heart and nutrition and lifestyle changes to 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 general or intensive cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, and vascular rehabilitation.

Ask your heart doctor if you are a candidate for cardiac rehabilitation. Your care plan is personalized for you based on your heart condition and recent heart surgery or procedure, such as:

  • Bypass surgery
  • Chronic asthma
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Coronary stent or angioplasty
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Heart attack
  • Heart transplant or heart pump implantation
  • Heart valve replacement or repair
  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
  • Respiratory illnesses
  • Stable angina

Program features and benefits

Your cardiac and pulmonary care team provide guidance and support throughout your recovery. The goals of our cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program include:

  • 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
  • Helping you return to work and activities of daily living
  • Strengthening and conditioning your heart and lungs
  • Helping you understand your medications and how to manage your heart condition

Phases of cardiac rehabilitation

Inpatient cardiac rehabilitation (Phase I) - Hospital-based care that begins shortly after your heart surgery or diagnosis. Your cardiologist and inpatient care team work together to provide you with a personalized recovery care plan.

Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (Phase II) - After you are discharged from the hospital, you’ll participate in a medically supervised outpatient program that takes place at a hospital or clinic.

Continuation program (Phase III and Phase IV) - At some Ascension Wisconsin sites of care, we provide cardiac rehab that supports you post-recovery, helping you maintain a heart healthy lifestyle.

Take steps to improve peripheral artery disease

Your vascular specialist and care team deliver advanced care for peripheral vascular disease, also known as peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD affects the blood flow going through your legs and to your heart. Vascular rehabilitation may be recommended for those who have PAD or vascular leg surgery. Vascular rehabilitation is a medically supervised exercise program that helps you:

  • Identify exercises to improve vascular health
  • Improve your stamina and endurance
  • Relieve leg pain
  • Walk longer distances

During vascular rehabilitation we provide:

  • A home exercise program
  • Blood pressure and electrocardiogram (EKG) monitoring, as needed
  • Information on PAD symptoms, risk factors and management
  • Supervised interval exercise training to improve walking

Exercise options after completing the program

Your care doesn’t end after completing your cardiac rehabilitation. Managing your heart and lung care is easier with a doctor and supportive care team who connect you to additional resources and fitness programs.

Refer your patient to a cardiac rehabilitation specialist

Your patients can expect compassionate, personalized care from the moment our specialists connect with them. Our rehabilitation care teams start by listening to fully understand your patient’s needs and to develop an individualized care plan.

Cardiac, pulmonary and vascular rehabilitation locations:

Northeast Wisconsin:

Southeast Wisconsin:

Cardiac and vascular rehabilitation locations:

Frequently asked questions about cardiac rehabilitation

  • What diagnosis qualifies you for cardiac rehabilitation, or heart rehab care?

    Your doctor may recommend cardiac rehab following a heart surgery or heart event, such as:

    • Congestive heart failure
    • Coronary artery bypass surgery
    • Heart attack
    • Heart or heart-lung transplant
    • Heart valve repair or replacement
    • Treatment for angina (chest pain)

    A doctor's referral is required to participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program.

  • What is cardiac rehabilitation?

    Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program that may be part of your care plan. Whether you have a heart condition or are recovering from a heart attack or heart surgery, your care team can recommend a rehabilitation program to support your recovery. During your cardiac rehabilitation sessions, specialists monitor your heart and help you develop confidence as your heart gets stronger.

    Cardiac rehabilitation programs focus on:

    • Creating healthy lifestyle habits and managing stress
    • Helping you understand medications and how to take them
    • Improving cholesterol levels
    • Improving your fitness so you can return to work and activities of daily living
    • Increasing self-confidence
    • Managing body weight
    • Managing chronic heart conditions
    • Preventing future heart attack
    • Reducing symptoms
    • Strengthening and conditioning the heart and lungs

    Talk to your doctor about whether cardiac rehabilitation is right for you.

  • What are the phases of cardiac rehabilitation?

    Cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive therapy program. Your rehabilitation specialist may provide exercise training, cardiac risk factor modification, education on heart health, nutrition counseling and psychosocial support. Cardiac rehabilitation helps you to recuperate, build confidence and get stronger after you've had surgery or medical treatment for certain types of heart disease.

  • What is the difference between cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation?

    Cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation are both medically supervised programs. Cardiac rehabilitation may be recommended if you’ve had a heart surgery or heart event, such as heart attack, heart transplant or heart failure. Pulmonary rehabilitation may be recommended if you have a lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary hypertension, cystic fibrosis or asthma.

    At Ascension sites of care, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs may include informational sessions, exercise, dietary counseling, breathing training and emotional support. Cardiac rehabilitation care teams monitor blood pressure throughout each session. Pulmonary rehabilitation care teams also monitor oxygen saturation and heart rate. Ask your doctor if you can be connected to cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation care.

  • Can cardiac rehabilitation be done at home?

    Cardiac rehabilitation is a program in which you are supervised by a medical professional. Once you have completed the program, your care team encourages you to continue your fitness activities and lifestyle modifications at home. Staying connected with your doctor and following your at-home plan can help you maintain your overall health and wellness.

  • How do I find cardiac rehabilitation near me?

    Talk to your cardiology care team about whether cardiac rehabilitation is right for you. A referral from your doctor is needed before scheduling your first session.


If you are experiencing chest pain, especially in combination with jaw or arm pain, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting or difficulty breathing, you might be having a heart attack. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.