Heart & Vascular Institute –
Texas Medical Center

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Phase I
Phase II
Phase III

Memorial Hermann’s cardiac rehabilitation service is a multi-faceted, medically supervised program that concentrates on the physiological and psychological aspects of recovering from heart disease. It has three primary objectives:

• To introduce risk factor modification techniques that prevent the progression or development of heart disease
    
• To increase functional capacity through exercise by developing cardiovascular endurance, strength and flexibility
    
• To instill confidence in patients so they can resume the normal activities in their daily lives

Our cardiac rehabilitation capabilities also include:

Anticoagulation Clinic services, which are designed to educate, monitor and manage patients who are receiving blood thinners to prevent blood clots.

Congestive heart failure services, which help patients manage the condition and complications that occur when the heart cannot properly supply blood to the body.

The cardiac rehabilitation process generally follows three tracks:

Phase I
This process begins when the patient enters the hospital, and a cardiovascular condition has been identified.

Patients and their families learn about cardiac disease, how to modify risk factors and how to return to a maximum level of functioning upon leaving the hospital. Phase I rehabilitation also includes telemetry monitored exercise, nutrition counseling, stress management consultations, and smoking awareness classes, as needed.
   

Phase II
Phase II rehab helps patients and their families adjust to heart disease and modify their lifestyles. The 12-week, 36-session program starts immediately after discharge from the hospital. It includes telemetry monitored exercise, nutritionand stress management consultations, smoking awareness classes and CPR training.

Phase III
This is a maintenance program that allows patients to continue lifestyle modification through non-telemetry monitored exercise and shorter versions of nutritional, stress management, and smoking awareness counseling. It may also be used by individuals with a high risk of cardiovascular disease to prevent future problems.

A prescription is needed to begin the rehabilitation program. Most insurance companies cover phases I and II, depending upon the policy, and Medicare covers both phases as well as entrance and exit stress tests. Phase III and wellness-related services are charged at the end of the month and are not usually covered.

Eligible individuals include, but are not limited to, those who have suffered a heart attack, undergone coronary artery bypass grafting, have evidence of coronary artery disease, and/or have stable angina.
Treadmill stress tests are performed prior to admission and upon completion of the rehabilitation to help develop a comprehensive exercise program.