Cardiac Rehabilitation
Service Overview
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised, exercise-based program designed to improve the cardiovascular health of individuals who have had a heart attack, heart surgery or other form of heart disease.
People who are part of a cardiac rehabilitation program are less likely to experience complications of cardiac disease and sudden death. They also are less likely to be readmitted to a hospital following a heart attack, heart failure, angioplasty or heart surgery.
Participating in cardiac rehab can improve quality of life and exercise performance while reducing symptoms such as chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath and psychological distress.
General Conditions & Treatments
You may be helped by cardiac rehab if you have certain heart conditions or if you have had certain heart procedures. These include:
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Stable angina. This is chest pain caused by disease in the arteries of your heart.
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Heart attack (myocardial infarction). A heart attack happens when the heart muscle itself doesn’t get enough blood.
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Heart failure. This means your heart can't pump blood as well as it should. Your body then does not get enough blood.
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Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. This is surgery to bypass blocked arteries in the heart. It uses an artery or vein to go around the blocked vessel.
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Heart valve repair or replacement. This is surgery to fix or replace 1 of your heart valves. The valves keep blood flowing in 1 direction in your heart.
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Heart or heart-lung transplant. This is surgery to replace a damaged heart or heart and lungs.
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Angioplasty with or without a stent. This is done to fix an artery in your heart. The cardiologist may put a small mesh tube (stent) inside the artery to help keep it open.
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Peripheral artery disease. This means the arteries that send blood to your arms and legs or other organs are narrowed.
More information is available in Patient Resources.
Patient Resources
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program to help people who have heart disease. It's designed to improve heart recovery and your ability to function, and prepare you for future daily activities. It's overseen by a healthcare provider. People in this program may have had a heart attack or heart surgery. Cardiac rehab can often help you get better at your daily tasks. It may ease your symptoms and give you a sense of well-being.
Who can be helped by cardiac rehab?
You may be helped by cardiac rehab if you have certain heart conditions or if you have had certain heart procedures. These include:
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Stable angina. This is chest pain caused by disease in the arteries of your heart.
-
Heart attack (myocardial infarction). A heart attack happens when the heart muscle itself doesn’t get enough blood.
-
Heart failure. This means your heart can't pump blood as well as it should. Your body then does not get enough blood.
-
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. This is surgery to bypass blocked arteries in the heart. It uses an artery or vein to go around the blocked vessel.
-
Heart valve repair or replacement. This is surgery to fix or replace 1 of your heart valves. The valves keep blood flowing in 1 direction in your heart.
-
Heart or heart-lung transplant. This is surgery to replace a damaged heart or heart and lungs.
-
Angioplasty with or without a stent. This is done to fix an artery in your heart. The cardiologist may put a small mesh tube (stent) inside the artery to help keep it open.
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Peripheral artery disease. This means the arteries that send blood to your arms and legs or other organs are narrowed.
The cardiac rehab team
Your cardiac rehab program may start while you are in the hospital or soon after you are discharged. Many different healthcare providers may help with your cardiac rehab. They include:
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Specialists. Specialists may include an expert in diagnosing and treating heart disease (cardiologist), a heart surgeon (cardiovascular or cardiothoracic surgeon), and rehabilitation specialist (physiatrist).
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Primary care providers. These include a specialist in caring for adults (internist) and a healthcare provider who cares for all family members (family practice provider).
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Cardiac nurses. These are nurses who have special training in caring for people with heart problems.
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Registered dietitian or nutritionist. This person has special training in healthy eating and in diets for people with heart and other health conditions.
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Physical therapist. This specialist is trained to help improve how you move to ease your pain and disability as well as improve your ability to function.
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Occupational therapist. This specialist is trained to help improve how well you can do your daily tasks.
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Psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor. This person helps with mental health problems. They can help you cope with daily stress, including long-term health problems.
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Case manager or social worker. This person helps with planning your care. It may be in the hospital, in long-term care, or at home.
Other healthcare providers may also be involved. It depends on your needs and your program.
The cardiac rehab program
Your cardiac rehab program is designed to meet your needs. It's overseen by a cardiologist (cardiac specialist) and a team of cardiac health providers. Your program may last from 6 weeks to more than a year.
The goal of cardiac rehab is to help ease your symptoms and make your heart as healthy as possible. Your program may include:
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Exercise program. This makes you more fit and helps your heart work better.
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Classes to help you change your lifestyle and habits. For example, classes and support to help you quit smoking. Or you may take a nutrition class to learn how to eat better.
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Stress management. You will learn how to manage stress to lower your anxiety.
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Counseling. This will help you learn about your specific condition and how to live with it.
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Occupational therapy. This is to help you get ready to go back to work or to manage normal activities of daily living.
Care at Straub Benioff
Straub Benioff Cardiac Rehabilitation is a 12- to 36-week program structured to help you return to an active life while improving overall heart health.
Who can benefit from cardiac rehabilitation?
Patients with the following conditions can benefit from a cardiac rehabilitation program:
- Myocardial infarction/heart attack within the past 12 months
- Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)
- Heart transplant
- Chronic stable angina
- Cardiac procedures such as angioplasty or stent
- Heart valve surgery
- Heart failure
Speak with your primary care physician (PCP) or heart specialist to find out if you are eligible for cardiac rehab.
What can cardiac rehab participants expect?
Cardiac rehab focuses on low-impact aerobic exercises and strength training personalized to an individual’s ability. At Straub Benioff, we have exercise equipment for all levels of fitness.
We also provide medically supervised education and counseling in areas such as medication management, nutrition, tobacco cessation, diabetes, heart failure and other risk factor changes.
Our nurse case manager and exercise physiologist within the program are experienced in exercise safety and cardiac care. Our nurse case managers oversee participants’ treatment plans and provide expert opinions to manage their care.
By the end of the program, participants can expect to learn everything they will need to continue these lifestyle changes on their own, including at-home exercises and heart-healthy nutrition choices.
How often do participants attend cardiac rehab sessions?
Every participant will be asked to come into the clinic two to three times a week for one to two hours of medically supervised exercise with an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor and education on your cardiac risk factors. Vitals will be taken before, during and after exercise. Education will be provided at different times throughout your sessions.
The duration of the program can be between 12 and 36 weeks, based on a participant’s individual medical history and physician recommendations.
How can I register for cardiac rehabilitation?
Straub Benioff Cardiac Rehabilitation is referral-based only.
When we receive a referral from your cardiologist or primary care provider, our patient service representative will give you a call to explain the program and get additional information.
We also will obtain medical notes from your referring provider and insurance will be verified. Our nurse case manager will get all medical information to review and ensure that you are ready to start the program.
Once these steps are completed, we will call you to make an appointment for the initial intake.
The initial intake process includes the following:
- Exercise test
- Nutrition evaluation
- Psychosocial assessment
- Medical review
We also will provide an evaluation packet, which will need to be completed and brought into your initial intake.
How are cardiac rehab candidates evaluated?
Our experienced and professional team works with primary care physicians and specialists, such as cardiologists, to identify candidates for cardiac rehab.
Candidates are carefully screened by our nurses or exercise physiologist to ensure that the program is right for them.
Participants who are in the program continue to be treated by their primary care physicians and/or cardiologists.
To request more information, please call 808-522-4114.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Straub Benioff Cardiac Rehabilitation
First Insurance Center
1100 Ward Ave., Suite 715
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96814
808-522-4114
Care at Wilcox
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Hawaiʻi and the U.S. The CDC, National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association all say a cardiac rehabilitation program can reduce mortality, lessen the chance of another heart attack and increase a person’s quality of life.
Patients with the following conditions can benefit from a cardiac rehabilitation program:
- Myocardial infarction/heart attack within the past 12 months
- Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)
- Heart transplant
- Chronic stable angina
- Cardiac procedures such as angioplasty or stent
- Heart valve surgery
- Heart failure
Here are some details on Wilcox’s cardiac rehabilitation program:
- 12-36 weeks (depending on a participant’s needs) focusing on low-impact aerobic exercises and strength training.
· Each exercise-based treatment program is personalized to a participant’s ability.
· Participants come into the clinic for an hour, once or twice a week.
- Exercise equipment for all levels of fitness.
- Latest software and tools will be used to monitor vital signs and cardiovascular health.
- Educational information which may include-
- Diabetes
- Heart Failure
- Nutrition
- Managing medications
- Lifestyle modifications
Available for eligible patients via a physician order.
What to do if you are considering therapy services:
1. Consult with your doctor to determine if your condition or symptoms are appropriate for therapy.
2. If therapy is appropriate, your doctor will provide a formal referral for therapy services.
3. All referrals are carefully reviewed and screened by our staff to ensure the program is right for you.
4. Our office will contact you to schedule an initial evaluation.
Rehabilitation Services Department
Wilcox Medical Center
3-3420 Kuhio HighwayLihue, HI 96766
Phone: 808-245-1494
Our Cardiac Rehabilitation Locations
Oʻahu
Kauaʻi
Wilcox Medical Center
Wilcox Medical Center
3-3420 Kūhiō Highway
Līhu‘e, HI 96766
Phone: 808-245-1100
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