WCH Cardiac Rehabilitation

The cardiac rehabilitation program at Wooster Community Hospital uses supervised exercise and education to help patients with heart disease once again enjoy activities they consider important to a high quality of life. WCH offers Phase 1 (inpatient), Phase 2 (monitored outpatient), and Phase 3 (maintenance) cardiac rehabilitation.

New Patient Education Manual

Cardiac Rehab, Phase 1

Phase I is our inpatient program. When a patient is admitted to the hospital with chest pain, following a heart catheterization procedure, or having a coronary intervention with coronary stent placement, a member of the cardiac rehab staff will see you in the hospital.

This initial visit helps the patient identify individual risk factors associated with their cardiac event and begin the process of education and training to make healthier lifestyle choices.

Following discharge, your physician will more than likely refer you to the Phase 2 monitored outpatient program.

Cardiac Rehab, Phase 2

Phase 2 involves the creation and implementation of an individualized and personalized treatment plan, including evaluation and instruction on physical activity, nutrition, stress management, and other health-related areas.

The cardiac rehabilitation professionals closely supervise group exercise sessions while monitoring heart rate, heart rhythm, and blood pressure. The one-hour sessions take place three times per week for a period of 12 weeks using a variety of exercise equipment.

Cardiac rehab is an important part of treating your specific heart problem. If you have one of the following diagnoses, you may be eligible to participate in this program:

• Heart attack in the last 12 months
• Angina pectoris (stable)
• Heart failure
• Coronary artery angioplasty or stents
• Cardiac surgery such as coronary bypass or valve surgery
• Heart or lung transplant

Cardiac Rehab, Phase 3

Participants who have completed the Phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation are eligible to participate in our maintenance program. Participants of the Phase 3 program use the same equipment they used in Phase 2, but no longer wear a heart monitor.

Hours:

• Tuesday and Thursday: 6 am - 2 pm

Heart Disease Education

Providing education about heart disease and the support necessary to make healthier lifestyle changes is an important part of the cardiac rehabilitation program at Wooster Community Hospital Health System.

Patients and their families are given information on a wide variety of topics, all of which are related to recovering from heart disease and preventing future heart disease. Patients learn about heart disease and how to live healthier through lifestyle changes. This education begins while the patient is still in the hospital and is expanded greatly in the outpatient Phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation program.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, losing weight, increasing physical activity levels, controlling blood pressure, and reducing blood cholesterol levels can reduce the risk of future heart disease. All participants in the Phase 2 program are referred to a clinical dietitian for advice on healthy eating.

Hours:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
• Tuesday and Thursday: 6:00 am to 2:00 pm

The cardiac rehabilitation department is located on the first floor of the hospital, near the east elevators. For more information, call (330) 263-8575.