Cardiac Rehabilitation
The Adventist Health Lodi Memorial cardiac rehabilitation program uses a multidisciplinary approach of education and exercise to help patients with cardiovascular disease attain the skills necessary to return to a more active life.
Rehabilitation can begin as early as two weeks after a heart attack or open-heart surgery. The program’s goal is to complement your doctor’s care by helping you return to better health through exercise and education.
The first step
Admittance to the cardiac rehabilitation program is upon the recommendation of your physician. At the initial interview, the cardiac nurse specialist will go over your medical history and explain the program.
An assessment will be made of cardiac risk factors, including:
- Smoking history
- Cholesterol values
- Blood pressure control
- Physical activity
- Weight management
- Diabetes control
- Stress management
Program benefits include:
- Heart monitoring while you exercise to detect arrhythmia and other EKG changes, ensuring safe exercise
- Proper exercise and education on heart disease and contributing risk factors
- Assistance in developing a program of lifestyle modification and management
- Restoration to an optimal activity level for work or active retirement and family and social roles.
You should request a referral from your doctor to cardiac rehabilitation if you have recently experienced:
- Heart attack within one year
- Congestive heart failure
- Coronary artery bypass surgery
- Heart angioplasty and/or stents
- Stable chest pain
- Heart transplants
- Heart-valve replacement and/or repair
Monitored exercise during rehabilitation
While in this 12-week program, you will engage in a progressive exercise program, directed by a cardiac nurse and an exercise specialist trained in the specific needs of cardiac patients.
The exercise sessions — held every week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday — emphasize techniques to prevent excessive strain on the body.
The sessions include:
- A five-minute warm-up
- A 30-minute aerobic workout
- A five-minute cool-down
- A 10-minute relaxation period for body and mind
Your heart will be monitored during these sessions.
After you have completed the cardiac rehabilitation program, you are invited to attend our maintenance program, which is designed to assist graduates of cardiac rehab to continue their exercise program. One-hour sessions are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Cardiac support group
The Beat Goes On is a free support group that offers heart disease patients, their families and caregivers practical tools for healthy living. Its mission is to provide awareness through support meetings and educational forums that those with heart disease can live well. Free blood pressure screenings are provided. For times and dates, call (209) 339-7664.
Location
Lodi Health West
800 South Lower Sacramento Road, Lodi, California
Free smoking-cessation classes
This free support group meets on Wednesdays, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, call (209) 339-7445.
Location
Adventist Health Lodi Memorial
Outpatient Services
975 South Fairmont Avenue, Lodi, California