Cardiac Rehabilitation

You have had a heart attack, heart surgery, or been diagnosed with a cardiac condition. In addition to heart disease, you may have other medical conditions-hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity. As a result, your doctor has told you to make major changes in your eating and exercise habits. Making these changes is not easy.

Immediately, you have to act, think, and feel differently about your health. You might not know where or how to start. The first step is to take advantage of the support and assistance available at Valley Regional Hospital.

Valley Regional Hospital's Cardiac Rehabilitation Program can help you quickly and effectively make lasting changes in your lifestyle-changes that will help you gain strength, vitality, and peace-of-mind. Our expertly trained staff offers education, support, and guidance to help you adopt and maintain healthy eating and exercise habits.

Our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program follows the national guidelines and is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). VRH was one of the first hospitals in New Hampshire to seek and be certified in 1985.

Benefits of Cardiac Rehab

Participating in Cardiac Rehabilitation gives you the power, knowledge, and perspective to change your life. You will learn to understand:

• How and why heart attacks occur
• Risks factors for heart problems
• Physical and medical aspects of recovery
• Psychological and emotional effects of heart problems
• How to improve your health through diet, exercise, and stress management

What it's like?

Participating in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is somewhat like taking a class. It is a group program that meets Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Participants attend the program for six weeks or 18 sessions. There are up to five people in the program at a time.

Each session includes 30 to 40 minutes of education and discussion and 45 minutes of telemetry-monitored physical activity. The educational presentations focus on cardiac risk factors, exercise benefits, medications, stress management, and heart healthy nutrition.

Discussion allows individuals to share concerns, ideas, and tips with each other. Sharing experiences benefits participants in many ways. Participants gain practical, hands-on ideas to use at home. Plus it is very reassuring to talk with others undergoing the same challenges as you.

Physical activity improves cardiovascular conditioning. Participants are guided through stretching, muscle relaxation, strength training, and cardiovascular exercise. During all exercise, staff monitors each participant's heart rate and cardiogram.

The program is offered at Vital Signs Fitness Center, a fully equipped fitness center with a range of equipment, designed for use by individuals with limitations or disabilities. Our safe and accessible equipment includes exercise bicycles, treadmills, rowing machines, and stair climbers. There are mats, weights, exercise balls and many other tools to make exercise comfortable and enjoyable at any age, size, and fitness level.

Experience and Expertise

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is staffed by a medical doctor, registered nurse, physical therapist, and exercise specialist. All of our staff members have advanced training and experience in cardiac rehabilitation.

Valley Regional Hospital's Cardiac Rehabilitation program uses widely respected treatment methods, proven successful through scientific research. Established in 1985, the program was one of the first in New Hampshire to be certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Society (AACVPR).

Who should have Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Cardiac Rehabilitation is for adults and older adults who have:

• Had a heart attack within past 6 to 8 weeks
• Undergone heart surgery
• Angina or other cardiac symptoms
• Risk factors that could lead to heart disease

How do I start?

Cardiac Rehabilitation is medical treatment for heart disease. Your doctor should refer you for Cardiac Rehabilitation at Valley Regional Hospital. With your doctor's permission, we will schedule you for an evaluation. During this evaluation, you will see an exercise specialist who will determine your cardiovascular health and physical fitness. You will also meet with a nurse who will develop a profile of your risk factors and lifestyle. This information will be used to develop individualized plans and goals for you.

Does insurance cover Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Valley Regional Hospital accepts most insurance plans and programs, but coverage for cardiac rehabilitation varies by health plan. Check with your insurance plan to determine your coverage. Generally, major insurance plans cover Cardiac Rehabilitation for: recent myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graff, stable angina, and cardiac valve replacement. In every case, Valley Regional Hospital can arrange for payment plans for individuals and families.

Contact the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department

Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Valley Regional Hospital
Fitness Center
241 Elm Street
Claremont, NH 03743
603-542-3458 or 603-542-1838
Fax: 603-542-7881