Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac Rehabilitation is one of the many services Gottlieb Hospital and Gottlieb Center for Fitness offer for heart patients. If you suffer from angina or have recently experienced a heart attack, heart surgery or coronary angioplasty, Gottlieb's Cardiac Rehab program can assist you in achieving optimal health and fitness.

Cardiac Rehabilitation is located on the second floor of the Rehab Services Building, 555 W. North Ave., between the Gottlieb Professional Building and the Center for Fitness. Your physician's approval is required to enroll.

The three main goals of the Cardiac Rehabilitation program are to:

1. Increase your physical work capacity through exercise, thereby improving your cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength.

2. Help you recognize and modify your cardiac risk factors through individual and group education sessions.

3. Improve the overall quality of your life by helping you return to work faster, decrease stress and renew self-confidence.

Phase I

Phase I begins while you are in the hospital, and is designed to prevent the deconditioning effects of prolonged bed rest. It consists of graduated exercises that begin at the bedside, work tolerance activities and education. Physical therapists, occupational therapists and registered nurses are involved in this phase.

Phase II

A physician referral is required to participate in this 12-week outpatient exercise and education program. Phase II is for people who have recently had a heart attack, angioplasty, coronary artery bypass surgery or angina.  It starts two to three weeks after you are discharged from the hospital.

Before you begin the program, you will attend an initial evaluation session so we can obtain your health history, review your cardiac risk factors and orient you to the program.

One-hour Phase II classes are offered three days a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday - from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Rehab Services building, second floor.

All classes are supervised by cardiac nurses and exercise physiologists who continuously monitor your heart rate and blood pressure. While in Phase II, our staff will work with you to increase your exercise workloads and provide education on lifestyle modifications. Your physician(s) will be notified of your progress throughout the program.

During the group education sessions, participants will learn about various topics including:

• Coronary anatomy and physiology
• Stress and relaxation techniques
• Medications
• Exercise guidelines
• Dietary management
• Cholesterol
• Risk factor modifications  

Medicare and most insurance carriers provide coverage for Phase II Cardiac Rehab. 

For additional information or to schedule an orientation session, call (708) 450-4553.