Cardiac Wellness Program
Cardiac Rehabilitation
The Cardiac Wellness Program at Gwinnett Medical Center offers a combination of health education and monitored physical exercise designed to help patients recover from a heart attack or other cardiovascular condition.
The benefits of cardiovascular rehabilitation include reduced risk of fatal heart attack, decreased severity of angina, a reduced need for hospitalization due to cardiovascular problems and decreased anxiety. All this means healthier individuals and better outcomes.
Our charge is to replace the fear that follows a heart-related problem with restored confidence using:
Exercise
- Each patient receives an individual fitness evaluation and exercise plan.
- Medically supervised sessions with continuous heart rate and blood pressure monitoring by exercise physiologists and registered nurses.
- Sessions are held three days a week. A typical program lasts 6–12 weeks.
Education about critical heart-health topics, including:
- Heart disease prevention
- Heart disease symptoms
- Stress management
- Lifestyle changes
- Nutrition and exercise
- Complimentary therapies
Program Phases
- Phase I—Our inpatient cardiac rehabilitation services begin while the patient is still in the hospital following a cardiovascular procedure.
- Phase II—Following discharge from the hospital, patients begin the outpatient phase of cardiac rehabilitation: a six- to 12-week exercise and education program designed to build fitness, gain knowledge and restore confidence.
- Phase III—A continuation of Phase II, this phase involves supervised exercise sessions, including heart rate and blood pressure monitoring. Phase III can be used as a bridge between the extensively monitored Phase II and an independent exercise routine.
Enrollment
To be eligible, you must have a diagnosis of coronary artery disease and a physician referral. To obtain the maximum benefit from cardiac rehabilitation, participation needs to begin shortly after discharge from the hospital, or at a physician’s request.
Medicare and most insurance companies include coverage for the program, which is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Find a cardiologist now, or call 678-312-5000 for a physician referral.
