What is Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation?
Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation is a focused therapeutic approach to restoring or maintaining optimal cardiovascular health. Individualized treatment plans are developed under the medical directive of the patient’s physician, who writes a prescription for these services.
Working together with you and your primary care provider or cardiologist, the CPRC nurses and an exercise physiologist establish specific goals based on your unique needs. Most treatment plans include:
medically supervised exercise
educational classes and
counseling.
The length of participation can range from 6 to 36 sessions depending upon the goals established and your insurance coverage. The program components are designed for those who have been diagnosed or treated for heart disease, as well as for those who are considered at high risk for developing heart disease.
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Others who benefit from these programs include those who are considered at high-risk for developing heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, risk factors for heart disease include:
Family History of Heart Disease
High Cholesterol
High Blood Pressure
Smoking
Diabetes
Overweight
Inactive Lifestyle
A preventive care plan to reduce cardiac risk factors is often referred to as a Risk Factor Modification Plan. Strategies to reduce your risk are listed in the following link:
The First Step — Developing Your Individualized Plan
The development of your individualized plan begins during your first appointment, when a nurse and/or exercise physiologist will:
1.) review your medical history
2.) administer a cardiac examination
3.) perform an
EKG
4.) identify your heart disease risk factors with the help of a lifestyle and nutritional questionnare
5.) teach you how to monitor your heart rate, and
6.) give you a preliminary walking program to begin at home.
The level of recommended exercise is based on your stress test results, if your physician recommends one. If not, your physician will recommend exercise guidelines. Over the course of the program, levels of exercise are slowly increased as you become stronger and your tolerance for physical activity improves.
Educational materials and videos will be provided for you to review at home. if classes are recommended, family members are welcome to accompany you. While you are exercising, family members may relax in the Center's comfortable den where they can read or watch television.
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What to Expect During Exercise Sessions
Pre-Training Sessions:
The first 2 days of an exercise program are considered pre-training sessions. Pre-training sessions are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays. During these sessions you will:
1.) meet one-on-one with a nurse or the exercise physiologist to review the specifics of your individualized plan
2.) learn how to put on a heart
telemetry monitor
and
3.) become familiar with the exercise equipment.
Regular Training Sessions:
Regular training sessions last approximately 1 hour and are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Blood pressure readings are taken before and after each session. While you exercise, you will wear a telemetry monitor that sends your EKG readings to a centralized location where they are closely watched by the Monitor Technician who will alert the nurses if an abnormal reading occurs. Staff nurses and the Exercise Physiologist watch over you throughout each exercise session answering questions and discussing your progress.
Locker Rooms
Separate locker rooms are available for men and women with full amenities such as towels, soap and shampoo. Each locker room has showers and private dressing areas.
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Heart Recovery —
This program assists patients who are recovering from a heart attack, cardiac procedure or cardiac surgery. Patients with stable angina enroll in this program as well. Participation in the program usually begins 2 to 3 weeks after being discharged from the hospital. Sessions are scheduled three times each week and include medically supervised exercise, nutrition counseling, support groups, stress management classes and other risk reduction techniques. Participation may last from 2 to 12 weeks. Special attention is given to recovering patients so that they may recover at their own pace in a safe, comfortable environment.
Supervised Exercise —
A supervised exercise program without telemetry monitoring is available for those who wish to reduce their risk factors for heart disease. Sessions are scheduled three times weekly and the program may last from 1 to 12 weeks. Since most insurers do not reimburse for this program, you should be aware that a self-pay arrangement might be required.
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Stress Management Classes —
Different techniques for managing stress are explored in an effort to find the one that works best for you. We offer instruction on meditation, guided imagery, progressive relaxation and humor. These workshops are offered on a monthly cycle. When you find what helps you manage your stress, we can help you continue the practice in your activities of daily living.
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Nutrition Education —
An experienced dietician offers a series of three classes that cover such topics as label reading, low-fat and low-sodium diets, recipe modification, eating out, weight management and portion control. Learn how what we eat contributes to heart disease. For those who cannot attend the classes or have individual needs, a private session can be scheduled. The dietician also will host "supermarket tours" upon request.
Complementary/Alternative Medicine —
Complementary medicine methods, such as yoga, tai chi and massage therapy are available at the Center for Health and Healing.
Fitness Alternatives Upon Completion of CPRC Programs —
Several options to continue your exercise routine are available upon completion of the CPRC programs. If you plan to continue your exercise plan at home or a local gym, our skilled staff will design an individualized program that will meet your personal goals. For those who require a structured medical environment, we recommend The Fitness Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, which offers all the benefits of the Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation Program without EKG monitoring. To arrange a guided tour of the Fitness Center you may call Jim Miastkowski, Department Manager, at 201-996-3590.
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How to Enroll in a Program
If you are interested in enrolling in a program at the Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation Center, you should first discuss it with your physician who will evaluate whether such a treatment plan is appropriate for you. Once your physician recommends participation, you may register by calling the Center at 201-996-3589. Upon registering, the following activities will occur:
A Request for Medical Records will be sent to your referring physician who will return it with a written prescription.
Our Outpatient Reservation Specialist will coordinate your insurance benefits and schedule an initial appointment during which your individualized plan will be developed.
A recent
exercise stress test
is required in order to determine the level of exercise that will be implemented into your treatment plan. Your referring physician will order this testing.
Depending upon your insurance plan, a referral may be needed from your physician to obtain pre-certification. This referral must come from your physician’s office because they have the information needed by the insurance company.
We suggest you call your insurance company and ask specifically what cardiac rehabilitation benefits are included in your plan. It is important that you know exactly what your financial responsibility will be before starting the program. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, offer cardiac rehabilitation benefits for their participants if such a program is deemed to be medically necessary by a physician. Otherwise, a self-pay arrangement is required. We will be more than happy to assist you with any questions regarding coordination of your benefits and payment terms.
medically supervised exercise
Heart Attack
