Phase 3 Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab at Warsaw and Clinton

Golden Valley Memorial Hospital offers Phase 3 Cardiac Rehab at the Rehab & Wellness Centers in Warsaw and Clinton.  Phase 3 cardiac rehab is a supervised maintenance phase of cardiac rehab. It is for graduate patients of phase 2 cardiac rehab and for individuals at risk of heart disease. Risk factors of heart disease include: family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, stress/depression, and smoking. Patients with past pulmonary issues are encouraged to consider this program for improving endurance and breathing.

Phase 3 cardiac rehab helps individuals meet their long-term lifestyle change goals, such as a regular exercise program. One of the wonderful benefits of Phase 3 cardiac rehab is that it allows a safe exercise environment, with medical equipment immediately available. Participants are also provided daily interaction with a registered nurse and exercise specialist or physical therapist.

The program helps you practice and maintain healthy behaviors and habits to continue to improve your existing heart condition or to keep your risk of heart disease low. The exercise program includes stretching, aerobic exercise, and strength training. The phase 3 rehab staff provides information and tools to enforce healthy habits, such as not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and dealing with stress. Participants also receive education on nutrition as well as medications.

The benefits of cardiac rehab are: the average cardiac death is 26 percent lower in rehabilitation exercise-trained patients compared with those who received the usual care; there are 21 percent fewer nonfatal heart attacks and13 percent fewer bypass surgeries; and there are 19 percent fewer angioplasties in  exercise-trained cardiac rehab patients.

Specific benefits of the exercise include: improved blood vessel function, improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, improved coronary blood flow, and reduced risk of blood clots.

Year after year, American Heart Association studies are released showing the physical benefits of cardiac rehabilitation. Rehab has been shown to help patients get back on their feet, lower blood pressure, boost good cholesterol, decrease body fat, increase muscle mass, and reduce the risk of a second heart problem. There is also evidence that cardiac rehab can also help reduce depression, anger and other psychological problems that often follow a heart attack or surgery.

There is no limit to Phase 3 visits. Phase 3 continues as long as the participant chooses to attend.  It is a self-pay program ($65.00) for 12 exercise sessions. Participants do not need a physician referral for Phase 3.

For more information about cardiac or pulmonary rehab at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital call 660-890-7192. For information about services in Warsaw, call the Rehab & Wellness Center at 660-428-1146.