The Heart and Vascular Center at Bridgeport Hospital offers outpatient cardiac rehabilitation as a medically supervised exercise- and education-based program designed to strengthen your heart, increase your vitality, and help make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk for future cardiac events. The Bridgeport Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Cardiac rehabilitation is strongly recommended for anyone who has recently had:
The program also includes an education component. Led by nurses and exercise physiologists, education will precede or follow your exercise session. Family and friends are welcome to attend education classes. Conversing with others who have experienced a similar cardiac event can provide you with valuable emotional support as you recover.
Education topics include:
A team of cardiac nurses and exercise physiologists monitors your heart rate and rhythm and guides your progression. Assessed during each visit are blood pressure, blood sugar (for patients with diabetes), and EKG. A supervised exercise program for patients with peripheral arterial disease is also offered. Exercise is tailored to a participant's needs and physical capability. The cardiac rehabilitation team stays in close contact with your physician regarding your progression.
We also offer a Cardiac Support Group that meets monthly to provide valuable information for people with heart disease and their spouses or loved ones. Check our Classes & Events section for Cardiac Support Group.
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover up to 36 cardiac rehabilitation sessions for the listed conditions, procedures. You are encouraged to ask your insurance carrier about your specific coverage. Your cardiologist, or vascular surgeon if the condition is peripheral arterial disease, will need to refer you to the program after hospital discharge. The cardiac rehabilitation team can assist you with this process.
For class schedules and more information, please call 203-256-5896.
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