Heart & Vascular Institute

Phase I Cardiac Rehabilitation

What is Phase I Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Phase I Cardiac Rehabilitation is a program designed for those hospitalized for any of a number of heart illnesses. Those who have had coronary artery bypass grafts, heart attack, angina, angioplasty, stenting, valve replacement, and coronary artery disease are examples of those who would receive rehabilitation.

When you are in the hospital, a Phase I Therapist will meet with you frequently and encourage physical activity shortly after you have had surgery, procedure, or illness. It is highly recommended (and required!) that as a surgical patient you are up to walk in the hallways. Not only will it help to prevent serious blood clots and respiratory difficulties, but it will also begin your recovery. Those who are up and active generally will be discharged from the hospital sooner, and recover more quickly after their surgery. The goal of rehab is to strengthen your body and heart to help you heal and recover from heart illness, and hopefully return home sooner.

As a patient in the hospital you may be feeling a number of things. Anger, frustration, anxiety, and fear are very common after a diagnosis of heart disease. Your Rehab Therapist is there to educate you about your heart disease and support you emotionally. They will educate you on how to care for your heart after your illness. They will also discuss exercise and diet as playing a vital role in your recovery both short-term and long-term. At this time in the recovery process, knowledge of those things that could be harming your heart should be discussed with you. Knowledge can empower an individual to take control of these “risk factors” and modify them in order to achieve maximum health and wellness.

When does this program start?
Patients must be hospitalized to receive Phase I Cardiac Rehabilitation. This phase occurs after an individual has experienced a heart problem.

How can I receive Phase I Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Your surgeon or cardiologist is the first person to recognize a need for cardiac rehabilitation. If they feel you are a candidate, they will send a referral to a rehab therapist who will then meet with you. Your doctors realize the importance of strengthening exercises and patient education and, more often than not, will refer you for cardiac rehabilitation because of this.

Who is my Rehab Therapist?
Your Rehab Therapist is an exercise physiologist trained in the rehabilitation of the heart. She / he is trained in the anatomy and physiology of the entire body. Your therapist has a degree in Science, specifically focusing on the effect of exercise on the body, and more specifically, on the heart. They are also trained in basic and advanced cardiac life support.

How am I monitored?
A Phase I Therapist will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen during your activity with them. And you are, of course, monitored with a heart monitor while you are in the hospital. Your therapist is trained in recognizing distress, cardiac problems, and other signs that will tell them how to progress your activity. They interact with the nurse and the physicians in order to evaluate your progress. The therapist, in conjunction with your nurses and doctors, evaluate your progress to decide if you are ready for the next step of rehab (outside the hospital) or if you need further attention in the hospital.

How is this program covered?
Phase I Cardiac Rehabilitation is generally covered by your insurance company. You will have cardiac rehab each day you are in recovery. If your surgery or procedure takes place on a weekend and you are discharged, you may not receive cardiac rehab. In these situations, your nurse will discuss cardiac rehab with you and will advance your activity level until you are ready to be discharged.

What is next?
If we receive approval for you to begin outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, your therapist will discuss this option with you. They will refer you to a facility providing Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation per orders from your cardiologist or surgeon. You can choose where to participate in rehab or if you will participate in an outpatient rehabilitation program. These programs are highly recommended, but voluntary.