Cardiac rehabilitation is an important step in resuming a full and active lifestyle for people with heart disease, angina or who have had a heart attack or coronary bypass.

Walker Heart Institute is committed to making a difference in people's lives through excellent rehabilitative care.  The Institute maintains a comprehensive, medically supervised cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program to address the varied needs of its patients.  From those who have suffered a heart attack or heart surgery to those at high risk of developing heart disease, cardiac rehabilitation at Walker Heart Institute is tailored to each patient's individual needs. 

Under the direction of cardiologist Dr. Ted Fish, Walker Heart Institute offers the region's first nationally certified Cardiac Rehabilitation program.  An interdisciplinary team of health care professionals including physicians, cardiac rehabilitation nurses, exercise physiologists, dietitians and other health care professionals work together to return patients to their highest level of function as quickly and safely as possible.

Your heart, like other muscles in the body, can be rehabilitated through specially designed exercise.  Our team of highly trained and experienced rehab specialists are skilled experts in helping patients learn how to better understand their heart condition and to exercise safely. 

The Walker Heart Institute cardiac rehab team works closely with each patient and their family physician or cardiologist to design a program that fits with the patient's overall health profile. As the patient progresses, this information is tracked and reported to both the patient and doctor.  Many patients are getting into better shape than ever before and are returning to their former activities and occupations more quickly.  In addition, they are decreasing their risk of future heart problems by recognizing and changing unhealthy lifestyles.

The Cardiac Rehabilitation program includes:

• Nutrition & Weight Control
• Medication & Risk Factor Education
• Exercise Therapy for Cardiovascular Fitness
• Psychological Support (Counseling & stress management)
• Exercise Physiologist

Who is a Candidate for Cardiac Rehab?

Cardiac Rehabilitation is for men or women of any age who are recovering from a heart attack, angioplasty, bypass surgery, valve replacement/repair, or heart transplantation.  Patients with stable angina can also benefit from rehabilitation services.  Together with medical and surgical treatments, Rehab offers a program for patients to help them feel better and lead healthier lives.