What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?
The cardiac rehabilitation class is designed for those individuals who have undergone a heart surgery. The classes offered are for both Phase II and Phase III cardiac rehabilitation individuals and are 8 weeks in duration, 2 times per week. The individuals are able to continue these sessions post cardiac rehabilitation if desired. An individual consultation with an Accredited Exercise Physiologist is performed to gauge the level that an individual is at with their recovery and to allow development of a safe, tailored exercise program. The consultation also includes an education component specific to the client.
The classes offer both strength and cardiovascular exercises and are in a circuit and individualised program format. This allows those who would like to increase their heart health (but have not undergone cardiac surgery) to participate. This class is monitored by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist who measures blood pressures pre and post exercise class if required. The Exercise Physiologist has had great experience in managing cardiac clients (and prescribing safe exercises) and keeps a close eye on participants for any safety concerns.
Aim of Cardiac Rehabilitation?
To maximise physical, psychological and social functioning to enable people with heart problems to lead a fulfilling life with confidence. Cardiac rehab aims to introduce and encourage behaviours that may minimise the risk of further cardiac events and conditions.
Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation:
Benefits are more apparent when exercise is provided as a part of a comprehensive program including education, counselling, behaviour interventions and support then just exercise alone. (AHCPR- Clinical Practise Guidelines) Some specific benefits for patients include:
- Facilitate and shorten the period of recovery after an acute cardiac event
- Increase your ability to be physically active
- Provide support and knowledge about adopting healthy behaviour changes to reduce the risk of further cardiac complications
- Reduced depression and anxiety
- Increased wellbeing
- Increase your social support and helping you meet other people in similar situations
- Develop and learn skills for long term self- management
- Develop and promote strategies to achieve personal goals
- Specifically tailored exercise prescription
- Reduction in mortality, morbidity, recurrent events and hospital readmissions
- Improved symptoms including reductions in Blood pressure and chest pain
- Favourable impact on modifiable risk factors
Eligible patients:
- Diagnosed Coronary Artery Disease
- Previous heart attack
- Stent insertion
- Coronary artery bypass graft
- Valve replacement or repair
- Pacemaker device
- Heart failure
- Vascular disease
- Arrhythmias
- Angina or chest pain
- Risk factors increasing your risk of a heart attack
- As well as those with co-morbidities including diabetes, pulmonary disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis etc.
Phases of Cardiac Rehabilitation:
Phase 1- Inpatient rehabilitation (hospital and general practitioner)
Rehabilitation of patients beings in hospital and consists of early mobilisation, education and brief counselling to explain the nature of the illness or intervention, to increase the patients awareness of their risk factors as well as reassuring the patient about the future progress and follow-up. The main aims of this stage are for self care to be possible b discharge from hospital. Not everybody starts with phase 1, some patients are not admitted to hospital and are being medically managed.
Phase 2- Outpatient rehabilitation (offered at Moreton All Body Care)
The phase 2 program is based around low to moderate intensity exercise sessions, in group setting with individually prescribed programs. This phase incorporates exercise interventions, educational sessions, initial screening, individual prescription, functional assessments, continued monitoring of clinical measures (heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen) efficient referral systems in place with GP and evaluation of rehabilitation at the completion of phase 2. The main aims of phase 2 rehabilitation are to offer support during the recovery and adjustment phase, education about disease process and management, skills training and behaviour change, educating patients on exercise adherence, safety protocols for home exercise and developing confidence and determining exercise limitations.
Phase 3- Maintenance stage (offered at Moreton All Body Care)
Phase 3 continues over the following 6mnths, with exercise sessions that have more patient input, implantation and encouragement of home based exercise sessions to supplement the program. Strategies for behaviour modification are continually incorporated into sessions by staff to support and improve behaviour change. Patients still attend the clinic for 2 exercise sessions per week for supervised exercise but are more independent when completing their exercise. The aims for phase 3 are continuing supervised exercise, maintenance of behaviour changes and group support.
Our Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs at Moreton All Body Care:
We offer phase 2 and 3 Cardiac Rehabilitation at Moreton All Body Care and incorporate risk factor management into the phase 3 cardiac rehabilitation. The program provides long term support to you and your family and friends and covers various physical, emotional, psychological, sexual and work related changes you may go through. Cardiac Rehabilitation provides you with specifically tailored programs, action plans and assessments to benefit and improve your recovery. Educational sessions are also run to better your understanding of your heart and what you are going through.
Session times and prices: Please see our “timetable” tab for more info on times and prices.
Cardiac rehabilitation can be funded by medicare and DVA through GP referral as well as private health fund rebates are available. (dependent on your cover)