Cardiac Rehab

Cardiac Rehabilitation provides monitored, progressive aerobic exercise and education for patients recovering from heart attack, heart surgery or coronary artery stenting.

CVMC 2011 Patient Satisfaction Award Winner

Cardiac Rehab nurses Catherine Fetten, RN (Supervisor), Pam Passburg, BSN, RN and Peggy Miller, RN.

Cardiac Rehabilitation is a program offered at Central Vermont Medical Center to help patients to continue their recovery from heart attack, heart surgery, or coronary artery stenting. We serve approximately 170 patients per year.

What is the Program?

Our Cardiac Rehabilitation program is a six to 12 week outpatient program. It consists of monitored, progressive aerobic exercise, starting one to two weeks after hospital discharge. Your doctor, in conjunction with our program’s cardiologist, can help you and your family decide whether this program should be part of your recovery plan.

• Exercise sessions are held three times a week in our specially designed Cardiac Rehab area.
• Each participant follows an individualized exercise plan.
• Exercise is conducted in groups of 8 to 10 persons for approximately one hour and includes:
  • A warm up period
  • Exercise on a treadmill and/or stationary bike, rowing machine or arm ergometer
  • Monitoring of the patient’s heart rate and rhythm
  • A cool down period
• Education is provided in group sessions held once a week as well as through individual teaching.

Our Goal

• Help patients regain their confidence.
• Provide on-going educational support and counseling.
• Assist patients in understanding and adapting to their coronary artery disease and reducing risk factors through lifestyle changes.
• Help the individual return to and maintain the highest possible level of physical, mental, social and recreational functioning.

When You Complete the Program

At the completion of the program, participants are encouraged to follow a home exercise and diet program to maintain the highest level of heart health possible.

Our Staff

Three specially trained Registered Nurses staff the Cardiac Rehab Program. The program is also managed by one of our three Board Certified Cardiologists who routinely review patients’ charts and evaluate the patients’ progress. The program also takes advantage of consulting Physical Therapists, Psychologist and Nutritionists.

Program Costs

One comprehensive fee is charged for each session. This fee includes the cost of cardiac monitoring as well as physician and staff supervision. Most insurance companies cover the cost of a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.