WISCONSIN RAPIDS – If you have a heart condition, cardiac rehabilitation may help you live a longer, better life. If that’s your goal, the cardiac rehab team at Aspirus Riverview Hospital would love to help you reach it.
During Cardiac Rehabilitation Week February 14 - 20, the Aspirus Riverview team is raising awareness about their cardiac rehab program and how it is helping patients with heart issues improve their physical condition.
“We care deeply about our patients and want to help them get back to living healthier and happier lives,” said Deb Drewke, team lead of exercise physiology at Aspirus Riverview. “It’s very rewarding when patients realize how lifestyle changes and exercise can turn their health around, and we’re with them every step of the way.”
Drewke offers the following seven things you should know about cardiac rehab that may help you live better and longer.
1. It’s an outpatient program. Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised program for people with heart problems. A typical program lasts about 12 weeks and is run by a team of nurses and exercise physiologists. During the classes, participants exercise to get stronger, and they receive heart-healthy education, counseling and support. The classes are held at Aspirus Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids.
2. Rehab could help keep you active and out of the hospital. It can help you resume favorite activities – like golfing or ballroom dancing – after a heart attack. It may also reduce your need for chest pain medicines, as well as cut your risk for future heart attacks, hospital stays, and even early death.
3. Many people qualify. You may be a candidate if you have or have had a heart attack, heart failure, coronary artery bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, angioplasty, angina, or coronary heart disease.
4. The exercise classes are safe. In rehab, the exercise is tailored to your needs. And it’s monitored for your safety. For instance, you might exercise on a treadmill or a rowing machine to help improve your fitness level.
5. You’ll learn to care for your ticker. Rehab participants learn about healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating right, quitting smoking, and reducing stress.
6. You can ask for it. To find out if cardiac rehab is right for you, ask your health care provider.
7. It’s often covered by insurance. Medicare and many private insurance plans cover cardiac rehab.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Aspirus Riverview cardiac rehab team at 715.422.9361. To learn more about cardiac rehab at Aspirus, please visit aspirus.org/cardiac-rehab