Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation is a guided program that helps your heart get stronger after a heart procedure or heart condition. It includes safe exercises, education, and support to help you recover and feel your best.
People who take part in this program may:
- Have a lower chance of serious health problems or sudden death.
- Be less likely to go back to the hospital after a heart attack, heart failure, angioplasty, or heart surgery.
- Feel better in daily life and have more strength and stamina for exercise and activity.
- Have fewer symptoms like chest pain, tiredness, shortness of breath, and stress or anxiety.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health, and the American Heart Association all support cardiac rehabilitation because it can help people:
- Live longer
- Lower their risk of having another heart attack
- Enjoy a better quality of life
How Does Cardiac Rehab Work?
Your cardiac rehab program is designed to help ease your symptoms and make your heart as healthy as possible. It's overseen by a cardiologist (cardiac specialist) and a team of heart health providers who work together to come up with a program that will meet your needs.
Your program may include:
- An exercise program to make you more fit and help your heart work better.
- Classes to help you change your lifestyle and habits. For example, you may join a support group to help you quit smoking. Or you may take a nutrition class to learn how to eat better.
- Stress management to teach techniques to manage stress and lower anxiety.
- Counseling to help you learn about your specific heart condition and how to live with it.
- Occupational therapy to prepare you for getting back to work or navigating normal activities of daily living.
Depending on your individual health needs and goals, your program may last anywhere from six weeks to more than a year.
Related Programs
- Kapiʻolani Smokefree Families Tobacco and Nicotine Cessation Program
Our one-on-one program helps you and your loved ones quit smoking, meet your goals, and live healthier. - Nutrition Counseling
Enroll in personal nutrition counseling at Straub Benioff Medical Center.
Who is On Your Cardiac Rehab Team?
Different healthcare providers make up your cardiac rehab program. They can include:
- Specialists such as a cardiologist, a heart surgeon, and a rehabilitation specialist
- Primary care providers
- Cardiac nurses who have special training in caring for people with heart problems
- Registered dietitian or nutritionist who are trained in diets for people with heart and other health conditions
- Physical therapist
- Occupational therapist
- A psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor who can help you cope with daily stress, including long-term health problems
- A case manager or social worker to help with planning your care, whether in the medical, at home, or in a long-term care facility
Other healthcare providers may also be involved depending on your needs and your program.
Is Cardiac Rehab Right for You?
People with the following heart conditions or procedures may benefit from cardiac rehabilitation:
- A heart attack in the past 12 months
- Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)
- A heart transplant
- Ongoing chest pain caused by heart disease (chronic stable angina)
- A heart procedure such as angioplasty or a stent
- Heart valve surgery
- Heart failure
Cardiac Rehab at Hawai‘i Pacific Health
Cardiac rehabilitation is offered at Straub Benioff Medical Center on Oʻahu and Wilcox Medical Center on Kauaʻi.
Both programs are by referral only.
Cardiac Rehab at Straub Benioff
The Straub Benioff Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is a 12- to 36-week program structured to help you return to an active life while improving your overall heart health.
You will need a referral from your primary care provider or heart specialist to take part in the program.
Once we receive a referral from your doctor, our patient service representative will give you a call to explain the program and get additional information.
Speak with your primary care provider or heart specialist to find out if you are eligible for cardiac rehab.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Expect
What can I expect from the Straub Benioff Cardiac Rehab Program?
Our cardiac rehab program 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 managers and exercise physiologists 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, you can expect to learn everything you'll need to continue these lifestyle changes on your own, including at-home exercises and heart-healthy nutrition choices.
How Long is the Program
How often will I need to 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. Sessions typically include medically supervised exercise with an electrocardiogram (EKG) monitor. Your cardiac rehab team will measure your vital signs before, during, and after exercise. They will also share important information and education about your cardiac risk factors throughout your sessions.
Programs can last anywhere between 12 and 36 weeks, based on your individual medical history and physician recommendations.
How to Register
How can I register?
The Straub Benioff Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is by referrals 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 to get additional information.
We also will need to get medical notes from your referring provider and verify your insurance. 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 your initial intake. This process includes the following:
- Exercise test
- Nutrition evaluation
- Psychosocial assessment
- Medical review
We also will give you an evaluation packet, which you will need to complete and bring in with you during your initial intake appointment.
Evaluation Process
How are Cardiac Rehab Program candidates evaluated?
Our experienced and professional team works with primary care providers and specialists, such as cardiologists, to identify candidates for our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.
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 providers and/or cardiologists.
Location
Where are you located?
Straub Benioff Cardiac Rehabilitation is located at:
First Insurance Center
1100 Ward Ave., Suite 715
Honolulu, HI 96814
Our phone number is 808-522-4114.
Contact us
To request more information about the Straub Benioff Rehabilitation Program, call 808-522-4114 or fill out the form below.
Cardiac Rehab at Wilcox
Wilcox Medical Center offers a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for patients on Kauaʻi. The medically supervised program is for people who have had heart conditions, such as a heart attack, heart surgery, or heart disease.
The Wilcox Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is only available to eligible patients who have received a physician referral.
Once we receive a referral from your doctor, our patient service representative will give you a call to explain the program and get additional information.
Speak with your primary care provider or heart specialist to find out if you are eligible for cardiac rehab.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Register
How do I register for the Wilcox Cardiac Rehab Program?
The first step is to consult with your doctor to determine if your condition or symptoms are appropriate for therapy.
If therapy is appropriate, your doctor will provide a formal referral for therapy services.
All referrals are carefully reviewed and screened by our staff to ensure the program is right for you.
If you are found to be a candidate for the program, our office will contact you to schedule an initial evaluation.
What to Expect
What can I expect from Wilcox's program?
Wilcox Medical Center's Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is 12-36 weeks and focuses on low-impact aerobic exercises and strength-training. Each exercise-based treatment program is personalized to a participant’s unique ability.
Participants will come into our clinic for an hour, once or twice a week. Exercise equipment supports all levels of fitness. We monitor vital signs and cardiovascular health with the latest software and tools.
You may also receive educational information about:
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- Nutrition
- Managing medications
- Lifestyle modifications
Location
Where are you located?
The Wilcox Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is located with our Rehabilitation Services Department at Wilcox Medical Center.
Wilcox Medical Center
3-3420 Kūhiō Highway
Līhu‘e, HI 96766
Our phone number is 808-245-1494.
Contact us
To request more information about the Wilcox Rehabilitation Program, call 808-245-1494.