 |
Healthy Heart 2 Program
 Bridgeport Hospital’s Healthy Heart 2 program is a medically supervised cardiac rehabilitation program designed to strengthen your heart, increase your vitality and help you to make lifestyle changes to reduce the chance of another cardiac event. Each 90-minute session consists of an hour of exercise and 30 minutes of education on various heart related topics. The program is offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Brick Walk in Fairfield, 1305 Post Road, Suite 105.
Who Can Benefit From the Healthy Heart 2 Program
Anyone who has had a heart attack, angina, angioplasty, coronary bypass surgery or a valve replacement or repair is eligible to participate in Healthy Hearts 2 outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program.
Return to Top
What is Cardiac Rehabilitation (Healthy Hearts)?
The Heart Institute's outpatient cardiac rehab program (called Healthy Hearts) is designed to strengthen your heart and increase your vitality. In the program, you will learn how hard to push yourself physically. You will learn the different components of an exercise program, how long you should exercise, how frequently you should exercise and the correct way to engage in exercise and physical activity.
In this individually tailored program, you will exercise three times a week for up to 36 sessions, depending on your particular needs. The program offers 36 different education classes on nutrition, stress and various cardiac concerns. Your vital signs are monitored very closely by registered nurses and exercise physiologists to make sure your heart is functioning correctly while you exercise.
This program is unique because it goes beyond physical exercise. It is founded on the recognition that controlling heart disease is a life-long, lifestyle issue. You will develop strategies to address all your cardiac risk factors. Our goal is to heal not just the heart, but the whole person. We help people regain control over their lives when they may feel that heart disease is controlling them by teaching them the skills needed for healthier, happier lives.
Return to Top
The Four Components of Our 90-Minute Sessions
Each 90-minute session of the Healthy Heart Program (Outpatient Cardiac Rehab) includes four components:
 Exercise. Exercise is good for the whole body, especially the heart muscle. The heart is responsible for pumping the blood to the body. Exercise will strengthen your heart so it is a stronger and more efficient pump.
You wear a heart monitor as you exercise, so your heart rate and rhythm can be constantly analyzed. This is reassuring, and gives you the confidence to gradually build up the ability to exercise more vigorously. - Education and dietary counseling. The program places strong emphasis on everything that goes into your body, including food and medications. A dietitian shows you how to keep a food diary, and goes over every item to help you understand how you could be eating in a healthier way.
Also important: education on the causes, signs and symptoms of heart attack. We educate you so you'll recognize what's happening in case there's a "next time."
We also teach you about your medications do and why you are taking them.
- Stress management. There really is a physical connection between stress and heart function. Studies have shown that when people are under stress they are more likely to have heart problems. The program places special emphasis on this mind/body connection. We teach you ways to reduce your stress, such as controlled breathing and other techniques.
 Social support. Studies show that socially isolated people (those who lack a support system of friends or family) fare worse when it comes to heart disease. Many cardiac rehabilitation patients form friendships with fellow program participants. They enjoy getting together with other people who understand what is happening to them and how their lives are being changed by the disease.
Being with a group of people that has been through a similar experience can lead to new friendships, fellowship, laughter and good times. The camaraderie is wonderful!
Return to Top
Where is Bridgeport Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Program?
Our beautiful facility (opened in 2008) is located in Fairfield:
1305 Post Road, Suite 105 (in the Brick Walk)
Fairfield, CT
Tel: 203-256-5896
Fax: 203-256-5796
Hours: 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Return to Top
What Are The Days and Times of Classes?
Sessions are 90 minutes each throughout the day on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. About 8 to 10 people are in each class. Medical education, stress reduction and nutrition education are offered before or after exercise, depending on the time of the exercise class.
- Does Insurance Cover Cardiac Rehabilitation? Medicare and private insurance carriers cover cardiac rehabilitation if it is started in a reasonable time frame after your cardiac event. Insurance typically covers up to 36 sessions. Call your insurance company and find out your benefit. We will call your insurance carrier as well.
- Do I Need a Physician Referral?
Yes, a physician referral is necessary. We can call your cardiologist and ask if he or she thinks you would benefit from cardiac rehabilitation.
- Who Staffs the Program?
Our cardiac rehabilitation staff consists of registered nurses, dietitians, exercise physiologists and is supervised by a cardiologist.
|
|
|
