About Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Your first visit: Initial evaluation and orientation

This is a one-on-one session with a registered nurse or respiratory therapist. It will last 60-90 minutes. We will review your medical history, discuss medications, and help you learn about behavioral and lifestyle changes that can improve your health. You then will perform a fitness test so we can tailor an exercise plan just for you.

Follow-up sessions

You’ll be guided through your exercise plan by a team including a certified exercise physiologist, registered nurse and registered respiratory therapist. Their goal is to ensure your safety during physical activity. They will monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation and heart rhythm during each session. Most patients attend two to three sessions per week, but we can create a plan that fits your schedule.

Most insurance companies offer cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation benefits. However, not all diagnoses are covered by insurance, and some insurance companies will not pay unless specific criteria is met. Our staff will help verify your insurance benefits.

For cardiac rehabilitation:

• Heart attack in the past 12 months
• Coronary artery bypass surgery
• Angioplasty or percutaneous transluminal intervention
• Heart failure
• Heart transplant
• Valve repair or replacement

For pulmonary rehabilitation:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis
• Asthma
• Cystic fibrosis
• Lung transplant
• Interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis

There may be other lung diseases that your insurance company may consider.