mercy-cardiac-fitness-center

Commonly Asked Questions

Cardiac rehabilitation can:

Q: Does my insurance cover cardiac rehab?

A: Most insurance companies, including Medicare,

• Help form circulation around blocked vessels to increase the blood supply to your heart

cover Phase II cardiac rehab. In some cases, your diagnosis determines coverage eligibility. We advise all patients to check with their insurance company to determine coverage eligibility. If you have Medicare, you need not call to check on coverage. The cardiac rehab staff is familiar with its coverage guidelines and can give you that information. However, Medicare covers only 80% of Phase II Cardiac Rehab, so you might need to check on secondary or supplemental insurance coverage for the remaining 20%.

• Decrease total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol

We recommend you ask these questions when you call your insurance company: Q: 1. Does it cover Phase II cardiac rehabilitation?

Q: 2. Is there a certain # of sessions covered or are there limitations to coverage?

Q: 3. Are there co-pays or deductibles you might be responsible for?

• Decrease artery plaque build-up

Q: How long can I expect to be in cardiac rehab?

A: There are program different phases and each

• Help you lose weight

• Increase HDL (good) cholesterol • Decrease risk of heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer • Decrease heart rate • Decrease blood pressure

• Increase functional capacity • Increase bone density • Increase self-esteem • Decrease fatigue

• And just make you feel better overall!

phase may vary in length depending upon your needs. Phase II cardiac rehab can last up to 36 sessions.

Q: How many days per week is cardiac rehab?

A: This can vary depending upon your needs, but for Phase II cardiac rehab we recommend coming three days per week to maximize benefits received.

Q: I no longer drive. Are there transportation A:

options?

Rock County Transit is available for a fee with a one-week notice. Please call (608) 757-5054 for more information.

Q: Are there other cardiac rehab centers closer to A:

my home?

Mercy Health System has cardiac rehabilitation centers at the Mercy Health Mall in Janesville and Mercy Harvard Hospital, Harvard, IL. If these facilities are not convenient, our staff can refer you to another cardiac rehabilitation facility closer to home.

Mercy Cardiac Fitness Centers 1010 N. Washington St., Janesville, WI 608.755.7996 901 Grant St., Harvard, IL 815.943.3996

MercyHealthSystem.org/CardiacFitness #1221980_03/12

Mercy Cardiac Fitness Centers Cardiac Rehabilitation

Mercy’s cardiac rehab program is a comprehensive exercise, education and support program for those at risk for cardiovascular disease or for those recovering from a recent heart event or procedure.

WHAT IS CARDIAC REHAB?

Why is it important?

Cardiac rehabilitation helps you take control of your health by giving you the tools to better manage your risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiac rehab also helps you function better, improving your quality of life. You will be able to do more and move better.

There is overwhelming evidence that comprehensive, exercise-based cardiac rehab programs, like those found at Mercy Health System, are associated with a lower risk of dying from heart disease.

What is cardiovascular disease?

It can include: • Coronary artery disease (CAD) • Stroke • High blood pressure • Heart failure • Atherosclerosis • Peripheral vascular disease What are the primary risk factors for cardiovascular disease?

• Diabetes • Smoking • Obesity • Lack of regular exercise or physical inactivity • Chronic stress • High blood pressure • High cholesterol

PHASES OF CARDIAC REHABILITATION Phase I Phase I begins while you are in the hospital.

Exercise physiologists give you basic guidelines on starting a home exercise program, how to check your heart rate and some lifestyle restrictions because of your heart event.

Exercise physiologists also review your personal risk factors for heart disease and discuss ways to decrease or control those risk factors.

Phase II Once released from the hospital, you begin an outpatient program that includes structured, monitored exercise and a comprehensive education program. During Phase II, you’ll learn about your heart condition, how to be

proactive in improving their heart condition and risk factors, how to exercise properly and how their body will respond to exercise. Phase II typically lasts anywhere from six to 12 weeks and meets three days a week for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Your family and friends are a very important support system for you. Their help and encouragement can be vital in your recovery process. We encourage your spouse to get involved in the exercise program and attend education classes covering stress management, the emotional aspects of heart disease, exercise guidelines, anatomy and physiology of the heart, medications, risk factors, and a heart-healthy diet.

Phase III (transition program) and Phase IV (wellness program) Once you have graduated from Phase II, you can exercise on your own or continue in our Phase III (transition) exercise program. This program also meets three times a week, but patients are more independent. Phase III patients are not monitored by ECG, but are supervised by staff.

Your blood pressures is monitored regularly.

You usually stay in this program for four weeks and graduate to the wellness program, Phase IV. This program meets five days a week, and you’ll monitor your own exercise intensity level, heart rate and blood pressure.