CARDIAC REHAB - PHASE II

What is Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation is a medically monitored exercise program designed for those who have had a recent heart illness or surgery / procedure. This program mixes regular physical exercise with risk factor modification in order to help with recovery and strengthen your body.

Risk factors are those things that put you at high risk for having another cardiac event. High blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, and being overweight are all examples. It is important in this stage of rehab to control those risk factors that can be controlled. This plays a major role in the health of your heart and body preventing future heart problems. 

View our Medical Minute on cardiac rehab

View our Cardiac Rehab brochure

Benefits from Cardiac Rehab
People benefit from cardiac rehab if they have recently been diagnosed with:

• Heart attack
• Stable angina
• Coronary artery bypass surgery
• Heart valve repair or replacement
• Angioplasty, atherectomy, rotablation, stenting
• Heart transplant

About Our Program
For most people with coronary artery disease, the right prescription for lifestyle change is an important component of treatment. That's why, as part of our full array of heart care services, Frankfort Regional Medical Center offers a comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation program. Cardiac rehabilitation increases cardiovascular efficiency, offers physical and psychological benefits, speeds recovery, and helps prevent prolonged disability.

We teach patients how to incorporate lifestyle modifications, including exercise, nutrition, education, stress management and smoking cessation, for a healthier heart. We provide individualized testing and medically supervised treatment plans that are based on each person's unique circumstances. And because the victims of heart disease are not just patients, our program involves families and loved ones.

Who delivers the therapy?
The cardiac rehab team at Frankfort Regional Medical Center consists of highly skilled health care professionals. Nurses, registered dieticians and pharmacists work together under the guidance of your referring physician to help you return to a healthy active lifestyle.  Our nurses are certified in advanced cardiac life support, and trained in the response of the heart to exercise and understand the process of heart disease.

How am I monitored?
Your Phase II Cardiac Rehab team will monitor your heart rhythm, heart rate, blood pressure, and weight each day you attend. If you have any signs or symptoms of impending difficulties or heart problems, they will assist you in obtaining the appropriate care. If your cardiac rehab team is concerned about your uncontrolled blood pressure, for example, they will discuss this with your doctor and help you to reach a controlled blood pressure range.

How does Phase II Cardiac Rehab work?
Cardiac rehab has two major parts. These include:

• Exercise training to help the patient learn how to exercise safely, improve stamina, strengthen muscles and develop an individualized exercise program to help prevent future heart problems. Each person's exercise plan is based on their unique abilities, needs and interests.
• Education, counseling and training to help the patient understand his/her heart condition and find ways to reduce his risk of future heart problems. Educational opportunities available include: home exercise, nutrition, medication, stress management, weight loss, reversal of heart disease, smoking cessation, heart anatomy, cholesterol, and blood pressure. The cardiac rehab team will help each patient learn how to make positive changes in their lives and cope with the stress of adjusting to a new lifestyle.

When will I have Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation will usually begin anywhere between one and six weeks after being discharged from the hospital. Those patients who have had heart attacks, angina, angioplasty, and stenting usually begin rehab within one week. Those who have had open heart surgeries generally start anywhere between two and six weeks after discharge from the hospital.

How is the program covered?
The Cardiac Rehab program may be covered by your insurance company. Since all insurance plans and companies differ, we will help determine your eligibility for the program. If you are covered, your insurance company may still require you pay a co pay or coinsurance for each visit you attend.  If your insurance company requires authorization, your cardiac rehab team will request rehab visits from your doctor. Your doctor's office will then complete an application to your insurance company to try to authorize these visits.

If your insurance company does not cover Phase II Cardiac Rehab, we will discuss other options available to you.

When is Phase II Cardiac rehab offered and how long does it last?
At Frankfort Regional Medical Center, we hold Cardiac Rehab classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  As a participant, it is recommended that you attend 3 days a week for maximum improvement of your cardiac status.

Classes are held at 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Your cardiac rehab team will arrange one of these classes based on your schedule. Each class is one hour long. You will be assigned a class time based on availability and your schedule.  If you need to reschedule or change to a different time, discuss this with your cardiac rehab team.

If insurance permits, you could be eligible for 36 rehab visits over 90 days. Some insurance companies will authorize less than this. You can also terminate the program at any time.  However, the longer you attend, the more you will benefit.

How do I enroll and get started?
A physician's referral and insurance pre-authorization are needed to start the cardiac rehabilitation program. Frankfort Regional Medical Center accepts most health insurance plans, including Medicare, that covers the cost of cardiac rehabilitation. A co-payment may be required for each exercise session.

For more information regarding Phase II Cardiac Rehab at Frankfort Regional Medical Center, please call us at (502) 226-7526.

Where is Cardiac Rehab located?
The Cardiac Rehab program is conveniently located near the main entrance of the hospital, on the east side of campus.  Patients have access to dedicated parking spaces just north of the main entrance and a separate entrance directly from outside of the facility into Cardiac Rehab.

From inside the hospital, Cardiac Rehab is located next to the cafeteria off the main lobby of the hospital.