What are Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab?
One of Warren General’s cardiac rehab nurses works with a patient.
Patients who have experienced a heart attack, are recovering from heart surgery, or are managing a cardiovascular condition, cardiac rehab plays an important role in recovery. Cardiac Rehab is a structured and personalized program that combines exercise, education, and changes to lifestyle that will enhance your fitness, reduce risk factors, and empower you to live a heart-healthy life.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program designed for those who experience lung problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, or lung cancer. RehabWorks Pulmonary rehab program consists of one-on-one patient-specific exercises and education about lung diseases. Treatment sessions are supervised and monitored by checking the patient’s oxygen levels and blood pressure. Each exercise plan is individualized and is designed to help improve endurance and muscle strength. These improvements may decrease shortness of breath with activity and ease the ability to carry out daily activities. Educational classes include topics such as medications, using an inhaler, understanding and using oxygen therapy, breathing retraining, diet and nutrition, the importance of exercise, and other topics based on individual needs.
While pulmonary and cardiac rehab include many of the same treatments, the conditions they treat are very different.
Cardiac Rehabilitation:
Target Audience: Primarily designed for individuals recovering from heart-related conditions such as heart attacks, coronary artery bypass surgery, or heart failure.
Focus Areas: Emphasizes cardiovascular fitness, risk factor modification, and lifestyle changes to improve heart health.
Components: Involves structured exercise programs, education on heart-healthy living, dietary guidance, and emotional support.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation:
Target Audience: Geared towards individuals with chronic respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, or lung surgery.
Focus Areas: Aims to optimize lung function, reduce respiratory symptoms, and enhance overall respiratory endurance.
Components: Includes exercise training, breathing exercises, education on managing respiratory conditions, and strategies to improve lung capacity.
While the specific exercises and educational components may differ, both cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation share the common goal of improving the quality of life for individuals dealing with heart or lung conditions. These programs are often structured to be multidisciplinary, involving healthcare professionals like physical therapists, nurses, dietitians, and psychologists to provide holistic support for patients.
The RehabWorks team at Warren General Hospital specializes in both cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. For more information about RehabWorks, please click here.