Cardiac Rehabilitation

National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week occurs during February each year. Individuals who have heart disease may find themselves participating in cardiac rehabilitation sometime during their treatment and recovery, as ordered by the physician. 

Cardiac rehabilitation may include one or more of these three main components:

Physical Therapy

• Evaluate strength, endurance, range of motion, gait abnormalities and sensory changes
• Create individualized programs to regain movement and balance
• Design exercise programs to improve strength, posture, or compensate for reduced abilities

Occupational Therapy

• Professionals help patients gain strength and endurance to perform personal care, cooking, cleaning and other domestic skills.
• Teach proper use and function of assistive devices
• Provide education regarding how to adapt safely at home

Speech-Language Therapy

• Assist with challenge regarding memory, planning, comprehension, learning and other complex mental and social activities
• Help with eating and swallowing difficulties
• Help ensure food choices meet needs and preferences.