Cardiac Rehabilitation: Which program is right for you?
Cardiac Rehabilitation: Which program is right for you?
Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is a doctor-supervised program for people who have most kinds of heart disease or risk factors for heart disease. Cardiac Rehabilitation has proven effective in aiding patients’ post-event recovery and longer-term health by improving functional capacity, reducing symptoms, promoting heart-healthy choices and creating a sense of well-being. Studies consistently demonstrate reductions in mortality and morbidity, and re-hospitalization. Participation in cardiac rehabilitation decreases the risk that a patient will die in the five years following a heart attack or bypass surgery by about 35 percent.
Eligible Diagnoses may include:
- Heart attack
- Bypass surgery
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- Angioplasty or stenting
- Stable angina (chest pain)
- Heart or heart-lung transplant
- Heart failure
Hunterdon Health offers two cardiac rehabilitation programs: Traditional and Intensive Cardiac Rehab. When considering which cardiac rehab program is right for you, the following table outlines the similarities and differences between the two programs offered at Hunterdon Medical Center. Our staff can answer any questions and help you determine which program is right for you.
| Ornish Reversal Program | Traditional Cardiac Rehab | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration |
3-hour sessions, twice weekly for 12 weeks (72 hours total). |
1-hour, three times weekly for 12 weeks. |
| Enrollment | Specific group start/end program dates. | Ongoing enrollment. |
| Reimbursement | Depending on insurance coverage (covered by Medicare and commercial plans which follow medicare guidelines). | Depending on insurance coverage (covered by Medicare). |
| Program Components |
A holistic approach, 4 equally important elements of: |
3 integrated elements of: |
|
Focus/ Purpose |
Focused on addressing the root cause of heart disease, delaying and reversing heart disease as well as gaining activities of daily living for a path to better health. | Focused on rehabilitation and gaining activities of daily living for a path to better health. |
| Outcomes* | 40+ years of research scientifically proven to stop and even reverse heart disease. Typical outcomes can include significant reduction in weight, depression, angina frequency, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and improvement in blood sugar levels and control. | Typical outcomes can include moderate reduction in weight, depression, angina frequency, blood pressure and cholesterol levels and better control of blood sugar levels. |