Cardiac Rehabilitation

The Heart and Vascular Center’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is a medically supervised exercise- and education-based program designed to encourage lifestyle changes to help strengthen your heart to reduce your risk for future cardiac events. Our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Cardiac rehabilitation is strongly recommended for anyone who has recently had:

• Angioplasty/stent
• Chronic stable angina
• Congestive heart failure
• Coronary bypass surgery
• Heart attack
• Heart transplant
• Heart valve repair or replacement surgery
• Peripheral arterial disease with symptoms

A Comprehensive Approach

The 12-week program includes EKG-monitored exercise and information sessions that focus on:

• Healthy lifestyle changes
• Heart anatomy
• Medications
• Nutrition
• Physical activity guidelines
• Risk factor management
• Smoking cessation
• Stress management

Clinical staff will monitor blood pressure, blood glucose levels and exercise intensity.

Professional, Caring Staff

The multidisciplinary team includes exercise physiologists, nurses, supervising physician, and a certified diabetes educator. The cardiac rehabilitation team stays in close contact with your physician regarding your progression.

Costs and Insurance

Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover up to 36 cardiac rehabilitation sessions for the listed conditions, procedures. You are encouraged to ask your insurance carrier about your specific coverage. Your cardiologist, or vascular surgeon if the condition is peripheral arterial disease, will need to refer you to the program after hospital discharge. The cardiac rehabilitation team can assist you with this process. For more information, please call 203-863-3756.

Hospital Offers a Separate Supervised Exercise Program

Greenwich Hospital also offers a separate supervised exercise program for individuals who do not meet Cardiac Rehabilitation Program criteria but who have a history of heart disease or a cardiac risk factor (e.g., diabetes, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity). Staff will create a specific exercise program based on one’s evaluation. Heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored and documented. The staff will continue to assess exercise duration and intensity to promote the most efficient workout. This program is not covered by insurance and is a self-pay program.