Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute-Texas Medical Center

Conditions and Treatments

Cardiac Rehabilitation

One in five Americans has some form of heart disease, which is why heart and vascular care is a priority for the Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute-TMC.

Whether a patient has had a heart attack, bypass surgery, angioplasty or valve replacement, or has angina, congestive heart failure or any other cardiac-related illness, they can benefit from our cardiac rehabilitation program. Our goal is to help people with heart disease participate actively and confidently in their own recovery so they can return, as much as possible, to the life they enjoyed before heart disease.

Our cardiac rehabilitation program is a three-phase, multidimensional, medically supervised program designed to help patients recover as quickly as possible from heart disease. With a comprehensive focus on exercise, education and lifestyle change, the program is designed to improve overall physical and mental functioning.

Patients benefit through active and confident participation in their own recovery. A specialized team of physicians, nurses, exercise physiologists, nutritionists and other healthcare professionals oversee patient progress in individualized programs that include:

• Telemetry-monitored exercise sessions
• Cardiac education
• Nutritional counseling
• Stress-management consultations
• Smoking cessation classes
• CPR training

Program Goals

1. Partner with cardiac patients, teaching them how to reduce their risk factors to prevent the progression of heart disease
2. Help patients develop strength, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance through an individualized exercise program
3. Help patients regain confidence to resume normal activities of daily living
4. Improve overall quality of life during recovery from heart disease

Benefits

Patients who participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program following heart surgery or a diagnosis of heart disease tend to have better outcomes in managing their condition. Benefits may include:

• Lower blood pressure
• Reduced need for medications
• Quicker return to work and activities of daily living
• Greater physical strength and improved conditioning
• Slowed development or reversal of hardening of the arteries
• Decreased risk of heart attack
• Relief from fear and anxiety
• Improved stress management
• Weight loss over time

Treatment Phases

Cardiac rehabilitation at Memorial Hermann Heart and Vascular Institute-TMC involves three phases:

PHASE I. The inpatient phase begins on admission to the hospital following a cardiac event or immediately following surgery. Patients are assisted as they begin ambulation. They learn about heart disease, how to modify their risk factors and ways to return to an optimal level of functioning following acute treatment.

PHASE II. Cardiac rehab is a 12-week, 36-session, individualized outpatient program that begins immediately after discharge from the hospital. Telemetry-monitored exercise, cardiac education, nutrition, stress management, smoking cessation classes and CPR training are all part of Phase II. Patients are asked to take treadmill stress tests before beginning the program and upon completion to help develop a comprehensive exercise plan and evaluate its effectiveness.

PHASE III. Our maintenance program helps patients continue lifestyle modifications through a monitored exercise program. People who are at high risk of heart disease, but have not had a cardiac event, may also enroll in this part of the program.

Hours

Our outpatient cardiac rehabilitation sessions are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 60 to 90 minutes. Patients may select various class times ranging from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location

The Cardiac Rehabilitation & Wellness Center is located across the street from the Institute, in the Texas Medical Center, at 6414 Fannin, Suite G-100. For more information, please call 713.704.5182.