St. Francis Hospital
St. Francis Heart Center, 4th Floor
7th & Clayton Streets
Wilmington, DE 19805
Monday, Wednesday & Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
P-302-421-4210
F-302-421-4971

The Rewards of Cardiac Rehab

You can recover from heart disease or surgery. You can prevent reoccurrence. St. Francis Cardiac Rehabilitation program is here to show you how. We provide education, counseling, behavior modification, and exercise. We design an individualized program and work together to help you. The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) notes that Cardiac Rehab is the Gold Standard of Care for Heart Patients and is effective in helping patients:

• Reduce symptoms of angina, shortness of breath, and fatigue
• Decrease or cease smoking
• Control weight
• Control blood pressure and/or blood sugar
• Improve cholesterol levels
• Increase exercise tolerance
• Gain a more positive outlook
• Understand warning signs of a heart attack
• Return to work and hobbies

What is Cardiac Rehab?

Cardiac Rehabilitation is a program designed to help people recover from heart disease and surgery through exercise, education, and behavior modification. We teach you to control your symptoms, improve your overall physical and emotional health, so you can enjoy a better life!

Is Cardiac Rehab Right for You?
Your physician may recommend Cardiac Rehabilitation after a heart transplant, a heart attack, bypass surgery, an angioplasty procedure, or a diagnosis of congestive heart failure.

How Does it Work?
After being discharged, you will come back to St. Francis Hospital on an outpatient basis for all Cardiac Rehab sessions. A typical program lasts 3 to 12 months.Your rehabilitation is guided by a specialized team of doctors, nurses, and registered dietitians who use education, exercise, and encouragement to help you reach your goals!

Education
We start by teaching you to recognize your own heart risk factors. These may include smoking, diet, level of exercise, weight, stress, blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar. Then we teach you practical ways to change the factors that put you at risk.

Exercise
Exercise will be a critical factor in controlling heart disease, especially if you haven't been leading an active life. Your rehab exercise sessions will be safely monitored and usually last about 30 to 60 minutes. As you exercise, we'll carefully track your heart rate, heart rhythm, workload capacity, blood pressure, and overall strength.

Encouragement
Improved health and well being come as a direct result of your own efforts. Staying motivated may not always be easy, but it's important. You can count on us for a healthy dose of encouragement every step of the way-keeping you committed to a lifetime of heart health.

A Program Designed Just for You
Your Cardiac Rehab team will work with you to design a program that's right for your specific needs and goals. St. Francis Hospital offers three programs.

Monitored Program
This medically supervised program includes sessions three days a week for three months and requires a physician referral. It is covered by most insurance plans, but be sure to check with your insurance company.

Maintenance Program
This medically supervised, unmonitored program also meets three days a week, and lasts as long as you need it. Physician referral is required. The monthly fee is self pay but may count towards your deductible.

Monthly Monitored Program
This is a monthly monitored exercise program with progress reports sent directly to your physician. The monthly fee is self pay but counts towards your deductible. Check with your insurance company.

Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance is confidential and available depending on your financial needs!

Cost vs. Benefits
Studies have found that a well-structured Cardiac Rehab program can lead to one quality-of-life-adjusted year (QALY) and is accompanied by an overall decline in the death rate of at least 25 percent ... *for less than $4000 (as covered by insurance) for 12-week program.

*Tindall, William N., "Cardiac rehab: movement and medication." Business & Health, Feb. 1998.