Cardiac wellness and rehab is an important part of the overall heart care program at Kettering Medical Center. The program provides you with opportunities for safe and monitored progression of exercise, emotional support, guidance in returning to normal activities and the development of a healthy lifestyle for the future.

The primary goals of cardiac wellness and rehabilitation are to assist individuals in preventing heart disease and to assist patients to recovery following a heart attack, heart surgery or other heart problems.

Want more information? Please call us at (937) 395-8825 or use the email link below.

This phase takes place while the patient is hospitalized using low-level, daily monitored exercise to reduce the unhealthy effects of bedrest. Healing is promoted through scheduled rest periods.

Phase I therapy begins as soon as the patient's condition allows, as determined by his or her doctor. Our cardiac rehabilitation team teaches exercise and educational classes for patients and their families. Emotional support for both the patient and family is also an integral part of this phase.

The Phase I program prepares patients and their family members to go home from the hospital and acquaints patients with:

• Guidelines for home exercise
• How fast to increase activity
• Reduce the risk of further heart risk factors, including the kind of foods to eat and how to prepare them (heart-healthy diet).

Want more information? Please call us at (937) 395-8825.

Patients may be referred to the Phase II outpatient program after they leave the hospital. This is a hospital-based exercise program designed in cooperation with the physician to introduce each patient to exercise and activity which is appropriate for his or her heart condition.

An important part of this program is taking care of the patient's psychological needs in an effort to restore self-confidence, independence and reduce anxiety and depression. Heart disease can mean big changes in lifestyle. Continuing to reinforce and work through the problems of these changes also are emphasized in Phase II, and the family plays a very important role in the patient's recovery. Family participation is encouraged in various rehabilitative activities.

The Phase II program includes:

• Monitored exercise: Heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure and symptoms are monitored as patients use treadmills, stationary bicycles, rowing machines, stairclimbers and strength-training equipment.
• Education sessions: Patients and their families are encouraged to work as a team in developing plans for improving their lifestyle that will assist in reducing the risk for future heart problems. Guidelines for returning to normal home and work activities also are given.
• Emotional support: The program encourages individual assessments for early treatment of psychological problems that are sometimes associated with heart disease. Follow-up services that are offered include group and individual support.

Want more information? Please call us at (937) 395-8825 or use the email link below.

This is a medically supervised community-based exercise and lifestyle program designed to provide a permanent foundation for good health habits. Phase III is a available to anyone interested in better cardiovascular health.

98% of our cardiac rehab patients return to work or a regular routine. Studies prove that patients involved in an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program following a heart attack or open heart surgery return sooner to normal daily activities than patients who are not participating in a program.

89% of our cardiac rehab patients continue on a regular exercise program one year following the cardiac event.

86% of our cardiac rehab patients who smoked prior to their cardiac event remain "smoke free" one year later.

This program provides continuing promotion of health and exercise maintenance. Participants need to be referred by their family doctor or heart specialist. We have various hours of operation, group sizes, and format options.

These ongoing exercise classes are designed to:

• Encourage persons to reach and/or maintain a desirable level of fitness and a healthy lifestyle.
• Improve strength and flexibility.
• Reinforce ability to effectively monitor exercise intensity.

Each exercise session consists of a "warm-up," followed by aerobic exercise that includes treadmills, stationary biking, rowing, stair climbing, ski machine and "cool-down" exercises. Strength training is also an integral part of this program. The Cardiac Wellness and Rehabilitation staff monitors exercise intensity, heart rhythm, and other symptoms as indicated, to assure each individual's exercise is maintained at an effective and comfortable level.

Want more information? Please call us at (937) 395-8825 or use the email link below.

Though insurance coverage may vary with individual policies, most policies cover full or partial costs of Phases I and II. Questions regarding coverage should be directed to your insurance company. The cardiac wellness and rehabilitation staff will be happy to give you details about the program or assistance with insurance information. Call us at (937) 395-8825.

Referral Information
Your family physician or heart specialist must refer you to participate in all phases of the program. Information pertaining to each phase or about referral requirements may be obtained from your doctor or from the Cardiac Wellness and Rehabilitation department, Kettering Medical Center, (937) 395-8825.

The Tobacco Treatment Center at Kettering Hospital provides a comprehensive tobacco cessation program designed for the tobacco user who has tried to quit multiple times before, but failed and for those who have never tried before.

Smoking Cessation and class info.