Cardiac rehabilitation program
What is the cardiac rehabilitation program?
The program offers specialist support and advice to assist people with heart disease. It helps people get the most out of their lives by improving their overall physical and mental well-being. It also helps reduce the risk of future heart problems.
Who is it for?
The program is suitable for people:
- who’ve had cardiac surgery/intervention, including bypass grafts, valve replacements, angioplasty or stents
- who’ve had a heart attack or an episode of unstable angina
- with chronic cardiac failure or angina.
How can it help?
Research shows that people who attend cardiac rehabilitation are 35% more likely to be alive in five years time than those who don’t. The program helps clients to:
- improve understanding of heart disease
- gain motivation and skills to modify heart disease risk factors
- improve cardiovascular fitness, which supports recovery from the cardiac event and improves overall health
- feel supported and encouraged to adopt or return to a physically active lifestyle
- manage depression and anxiety
- optimise energy use in daily activities.
What does it involve?
The program runs once a week for eight weeks, with each session lasting two and a half hours. During this time clients participate in exercise, enjoy afternoon tea and then learn about heart health through a number of different education and discussion sessions.
The program’s education component may provide information on:
- heart disease
- risk factors
- diet for a healthy heart
- exercise
- medications
- anxiety and depression
- energy conservation
- stress
- condition management and relaxation.
More information
Contact the CRC to find out more.