Who Needs Cardiac Rehab?
Cardiac rehabilitation can benefit anyone who has experienced a cardiac event including:
Some evidence shows exercise-based rehab can also help people diagnosed withstable angina.
Through cardiac rehab, healthcare professionals work together to help you improve your functional mobility, decrease risk factors related to your cardiac injury, and help you and your family manage the psychosocial effects that may influence your recovery after a heart attack.
Your cardiac rehabilitation team will include physical therapists who help evaluate cardiac function, assess impairments that may limit your mobility, and prescribe progressive exercise and physical activity to help you return to your normal lifestyle after a cardiac event.
There are four phases of cardiac rehabilitation. The first phase occurs in the hospital after your cardiac event, and the other three phases occur in a cardiac rehab center or at home, once you’ve left the hospital. Keep in mind that the recovery after a cardiac event is variable; some people sail through each stage, while others may have a tough time getting back to normal. Work closely with your healthcare provider to understand your progress and prognosis after a cardiac event.
1The Acute PhaseJohnnyGreig/Getty ImagesThe initial phase of cardiac rehabilitation occurs soon after your cardiac event.Anacute care physical therapistwill work closely with your healthcare providers, nurses, and other rehabilitation professionals to help you start to regain your mobility.If you’ve had a severe cardiac injury or surgery, such as open-heart surgery, your physical therapist may start working with you in the intensive care unit (ICU). Once you no longer require the intensive monitoring and care of the ICU, you may be moved to a cardiac stepdown unit.The initial goals of phase one cardiac rehabilitation include:Assess your mobility and the effects that basic functional mobility has on your cardiovascular systemWork with healthcare providers, nurses, and other therapists to ensure that appropriate discharge planning occursPrescribe safe exercises to help you improve your mobility, and to improve cardiac fitnessHelp youmaintain your sternal precautionsif you have had open-heart surgeryAddress any risk factors that may lead to cardiac eventsPrescribe an appropriate assistive device, like a cane or awalker, to ensure that you are able to move around safelyWork with you and your family to provide education about your condition and the expected benefits and risks associated with a cardiac rehabilitation programOnce significant healing has taken place, you may be discharged home to begin phase two cardiac rehab.Know Your PT CostsPhysical therapy (PT) is an essential part of your rehabilitation after a cardiac event. You may be billed separately for in-hospital PT and may havecosts associated with ongoing physical therapyonce you leave the hospital. Review your coverage and out-of-pocket estimates to be clear what costs you will be expected to cover.
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The Acute PhaseJohnnyGreig/Getty ImagesThe initial phase of cardiac rehabilitation occurs soon after your cardiac event.Anacute care physical therapistwill work closely with your healthcare providers, nurses, and other rehabilitation professionals to help you start to regain your mobility.If you’ve had a severe cardiac injury or surgery, such as open-heart surgery, your physical therapist may start working with you in the intensive care unit (ICU). Once you no longer require the intensive monitoring and care of the ICU, you may be moved to a cardiac stepdown unit.The initial goals of phase one cardiac rehabilitation include:Assess your mobility and the effects that basic functional mobility has on your cardiovascular systemWork with healthcare providers, nurses, and other therapists to ensure that appropriate discharge planning occursPrescribe safe exercises to help you improve your mobility, and to improve cardiac fitnessHelp youmaintain your sternal precautionsif you have had open-heart surgeryAddress any risk factors that may lead to cardiac eventsPrescribe an appropriate assistive device, like a cane or awalker, to ensure that you are able to move around safelyWork with you and your family to provide education about your condition and the expected benefits and risks associated with a cardiac rehabilitation programOnce significant healing has taken place, you may be discharged home to begin phase two cardiac rehab.Know Your PT CostsPhysical therapy (PT) is an essential part of your rehabilitation after a cardiac event. You may be billed separately for in-hospital PT and may havecosts associated with ongoing physical therapyonce you leave the hospital. Review your coverage and out-of-pocket estimates to be clear what costs you will be expected to cover.
The Acute Phase
JohnnyGreig/Getty Images
The initial phase of cardiac rehabilitation occurs soon after your cardiac event.Anacute care physical therapistwill work closely with your healthcare providers, nurses, and other rehabilitation professionals to help you start to regain your mobility.
If you’ve had a severe cardiac injury or surgery, such as open-heart surgery, your physical therapist may start working with you in the intensive care unit (ICU). Once you no longer require the intensive monitoring and care of the ICU, you may be moved to a cardiac stepdown unit.
The initial goals of phase one cardiac rehabilitation include:
Once significant healing has taken place, you may be discharged home to begin phase two cardiac rehab.
Know Your PT CostsPhysical therapy (PT) is an essential part of your rehabilitation after a cardiac event. You may be billed separately for in-hospital PT and may havecosts associated with ongoing physical therapyonce you leave the hospital. Review your coverage and out-of-pocket estimates to be clear what costs you will be expected to cover.
Know Your PT Costs
Physical therapy (PT) is an essential part of your rehabilitation after a cardiac event. You may be billed separately for in-hospital PT and may havecosts associated with ongoing physical therapyonce you leave the hospital. Review your coverage and out-of-pocket estimates to be clear what costs you will be expected to cover.
2The Subacute PhaseOnce you leave the hospital, your cardiac rehabilitation program will continue at an outpatient facility. Phase two of cardiac rehabilitation usually lasts from three to six weeks and involves continued monitoring of your cardiac responses to exercise and activity.Another important aspect of phase two cardiac rehabilitation is education about proper exercise procedures, and about how to self-monitor heart rate and exertion levels during exercise. This phase centers around your safe return to functional mobility while monitoring your heart rate.Towards the end of phase two, you should be ready to begin more independent exercise and activity.
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The Subacute PhaseOnce you leave the hospital, your cardiac rehabilitation program will continue at an outpatient facility. Phase two of cardiac rehabilitation usually lasts from three to six weeks and involves continued monitoring of your cardiac responses to exercise and activity.Another important aspect of phase two cardiac rehabilitation is education about proper exercise procedures, and about how to self-monitor heart rate and exertion levels during exercise. This phase centers around your safe return to functional mobility while monitoring your heart rate.Towards the end of phase two, you should be ready to begin more independent exercise and activity.
The Subacute Phase
Once you leave the hospital, your cardiac rehabilitation program will continue at an outpatient facility. Phase two of cardiac rehabilitation usually lasts from three to six weeks and involves continued monitoring of your cardiac responses to exercise and activity.
Another important aspect of phase two cardiac rehabilitation is education about proper exercise procedures, and about how to self-monitor heart rate and exertion levels during exercise. This phase centers around your safe return to functional mobility while monitoring your heart rate.
Towards the end of phase two, you should be ready to begin more independent exercise and activity.
3Intensive Outpatient TherapyPhase three of cardiac rehabilitation involves more independent and group exercise.You should be able to monitor your own heart rate, your symptomatic response to exercise, and your rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Your physical therapist will be present during this phase to help you increase your exercise tolerance and to monitor any negative changes that may occur during this phase of cardiac rehab.As you become more and more independent during phase three of cardiac rehabilitation, your physical therapist can help tailor a program of exercises, including flexibility, strengthening, and aerobic exercise.Measuring Cardio HealthTo determine whether cardiac rehab is helping your heart recover from injuries, healthcare professionals use a system to measure cardiorespiratory fitness known asmetabolic equivalent of tasks (METs). This is a ratio of the rate of oxygen you consume when working to the rate of oxygen you consume when resting.As you progress through the cardiac rehab phases, METs capacity may be increased, which, according to research, should lower your risk of future heart problems.
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Intensive Outpatient TherapyPhase three of cardiac rehabilitation involves more independent and group exercise.You should be able to monitor your own heart rate, your symptomatic response to exercise, and your rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Your physical therapist will be present during this phase to help you increase your exercise tolerance and to monitor any negative changes that may occur during this phase of cardiac rehab.As you become more and more independent during phase three of cardiac rehabilitation, your physical therapist can help tailor a program of exercises, including flexibility, strengthening, and aerobic exercise.Measuring Cardio HealthTo determine whether cardiac rehab is helping your heart recover from injuries, healthcare professionals use a system to measure cardiorespiratory fitness known asmetabolic equivalent of tasks (METs). This is a ratio of the rate of oxygen you consume when working to the rate of oxygen you consume when resting.As you progress through the cardiac rehab phases, METs capacity may be increased, which, according to research, should lower your risk of future heart problems.
Intensive Outpatient Therapy
Phase three of cardiac rehabilitation involves more independent and group exercise.You should be able to monitor your own heart rate, your symptomatic response to exercise, and your rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Your physical therapist will be present during this phase to help you increase your exercise tolerance and to monitor any negative changes that may occur during this phase of cardiac rehab.
As you become more and more independent during phase three of cardiac rehabilitation, your physical therapist can help tailor a program of exercises, including flexibility, strengthening, and aerobic exercise.
Measuring Cardio HealthTo determine whether cardiac rehab is helping your heart recover from injuries, healthcare professionals use a system to measure cardiorespiratory fitness known asmetabolic equivalent of tasks (METs). This is a ratio of the rate of oxygen you consume when working to the rate of oxygen you consume when resting.As you progress through the cardiac rehab phases, METs capacity may be increased, which, according to research, should lower your risk of future heart problems.
Measuring Cardio Health
To determine whether cardiac rehab is helping your heart recover from injuries, healthcare professionals use a system to measure cardiorespiratory fitness known asmetabolic equivalent of tasks (METs). This is a ratio of the rate of oxygen you consume when working to the rate of oxygen you consume when resting.As you progress through the cardiac rehab phases, METs capacity may be increased, which, according to research, should lower your risk of future heart problems.
To determine whether cardiac rehab is helping your heart recover from injuries, healthcare professionals use a system to measure cardiorespiratory fitness known asmetabolic equivalent of tasks (METs). This is a ratio of the rate of oxygen you consume when working to the rate of oxygen you consume when resting.
As you progress through the cardiac rehab phases, METs capacity may be increased, which, according to research, should lower your risk of future heart problems.
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Independent Ongoing Conditioning
The final phase of cardiac rehabilitation is your own independent and ongoing conditioning. If you have participated fully in the previous three phases, then you should have excellent knowledge about your specific condition, risk factors, and strategies to maintain optimal health.
Independent exercise and conditioning are essential to maintaining optimal health and preventing possible future cardiac problems. While phase four is an independent maintenance phase,your physical therapistis available to help make changes to your current exercise routine to help you achieve physical fitness and wellness.
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn MoreStair Test to Assess Heart Health
METs stands for metabolic equivalent of tasks. A MET is a measure of how much energy (calories) or oxygen you use for physical activity compared to how much you use at rest. METs are used to estimate physical fitness. Under 3 METs is light activity, 3 to 6 METs is moderate activity, and more than 6 METs is vigorous activity.Learn MoreWhat Is a Cardiac Stress Test?
METs stands for metabolic equivalent of tasks. A MET is a measure of how much energy (calories) or oxygen you use for physical activity compared to how much you use at rest. METs are used to estimate physical fitness. Under 3 METs is light activity, 3 to 6 METs is moderate activity, and more than 6 METs is vigorous activity.
Learn MoreWhat Is a Cardiac Stress Test?
During your rehabilitation after a heart attack, you’ll see an exercise physiologist or physical therapist. They’ll develop a tailored exercise plan that matches your abilities/interests to activities that help you increase your physical fitness, reduce stress, and improve your cardiac health.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.McMahon SR, Ades PA, Thompson PD.The role of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart disease.Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2017;27(6):420–425. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2017.02.005American Heart Association.What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?Long L, Anderson L, Dewhirst AM, et al.Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for adults with stable angina.Cochrane Library. 2018(2): CD012786. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012786.pub2de Macedo RM, Faria-Neto JR, Costantini CO, et al.Phase I of cardiac rehabilitation: A new challenge for evidence based physiotherapy.World J Cardiol. 2011;3(7):248–255. doi:10.4330/wjc.v3.i7.248Franklin BA, Brinks J, Berra K, Lavie CJ, Gordon NF, Sperling LS.Using metabolic equivalents in clinical practice.The American Journal of Cardiology. 2018;121(3):382-387. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2017.10.033
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.McMahon SR, Ades PA, Thompson PD.The role of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart disease.Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2017;27(6):420–425. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2017.02.005American Heart Association.What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?Long L, Anderson L, Dewhirst AM, et al.Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for adults with stable angina.Cochrane Library. 2018(2): CD012786. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012786.pub2de Macedo RM, Faria-Neto JR, Costantini CO, et al.Phase I of cardiac rehabilitation: A new challenge for evidence based physiotherapy.World J Cardiol. 2011;3(7):248–255. doi:10.4330/wjc.v3.i7.248Franklin BA, Brinks J, Berra K, Lavie CJ, Gordon NF, Sperling LS.Using metabolic equivalents in clinical practice.The American Journal of Cardiology. 2018;121(3):382-387. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2017.10.033
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
McMahon SR, Ades PA, Thompson PD.The role of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart disease.Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2017;27(6):420–425. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2017.02.005American Heart Association.What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?Long L, Anderson L, Dewhirst AM, et al.Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for adults with stable angina.Cochrane Library. 2018(2): CD012786. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012786.pub2de Macedo RM, Faria-Neto JR, Costantini CO, et al.Phase I of cardiac rehabilitation: A new challenge for evidence based physiotherapy.World J Cardiol. 2011;3(7):248–255. doi:10.4330/wjc.v3.i7.248Franklin BA, Brinks J, Berra K, Lavie CJ, Gordon NF, Sperling LS.Using metabolic equivalents in clinical practice.The American Journal of Cardiology. 2018;121(3):382-387. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2017.10.033
McMahon SR, Ades PA, Thompson PD.The role of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart disease.Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2017;27(6):420–425. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2017.02.005
American Heart Association.What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Long L, Anderson L, Dewhirst AM, et al.Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for adults with stable angina.Cochrane Library. 2018(2): CD012786. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012786.pub2
de Macedo RM, Faria-Neto JR, Costantini CO, et al.Phase I of cardiac rehabilitation: A new challenge for evidence based physiotherapy.World J Cardiol. 2011;3(7):248–255. doi:10.4330/wjc.v3.i7.248
Franklin BA, Brinks J, Berra K, Lavie CJ, Gordon NF, Sperling LS.Using metabolic equivalents in clinical practice.The American Journal of Cardiology. 2018;121(3):382-387. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2017.10.033
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