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Inpatient Program:
Patients admitted with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, or acute coronary syndrome are seen for assessment of activity tolerance, beginning education about coronary artery disease (CAD) and risk factor modification, and /or referral to an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program. Some patients with congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy are seen as well. Patients who are have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting are seen only for referral to outpatient programs.
Outpatient Program:
This is a six-week group exercise and education program for patients who have recently been discharged from the hospital with one of the above diagnoses. Sessions run three days a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The program follows the national guidelines, providing telemetry-monitored aerobic exercise (treadmill walking, cycling, rowing, stair-climbing, arm ergometry, etc.) and resistance exercise (light hand weights and the weight machine). Exercise levels are individualized. Group size is limited to eight participants with two staff in attendance. Thirty-to-forty-minute educational presentations/discussions are done once or twice a week, covering a variety of topics related to CAD. Each participant is given a complete risk-factor profile, including measurement of body composition, close follow-up on lipids, home exercise program, etc.
Most insurance companies cover this program but several require patients to meet specific diagnostic criteria. A pre-entry stress test may also be required by the insurance carrier.
Individual Program:
Patients may elect to be seen in follow-up after completing the phase II program to monitor/support efforts at risk-factor modification. Typically these visits occur at three-, six- and 12-month intervals. Any cardiac patient may be referred for an individual assessment of activity tolerance, exercise prescription and/or education. Insurance companies do not typically cover these visits, but the cost is kept at an affordable range.
Maintainence Exercise Program:
This is a small-group program, limited by space to eight-to-nine participants who choose to be supervised by our staff in the exercise room three days per week. These patients are independent with their exercise routines and are monitored only on an as-needed basis.
Medical Director: Andrew Torkelson, MD
Staff:
Rebecca Barwood, RN
Wendy Hubbard, ES
Marianne Lillard, RN
Andrea Weilbrenner, RN
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