Overview
While recovery from a heart attack, heart surgery or other serious cardiovascular conditions can take time and effort, there are many resources available to help patients regain their strength and improve their heart health. By taking steps to manage risk factors such as diet, exercise, and stress, individuals can greatly improve their cardiovascular health. With proper care and attention, a cardiovascular condition does not have to define a person’s life, and they can continue to enjoy all the things that make life worth living.
Principles
The UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute’s (SSIHI) Cardiac Rehabilitation program is a personalized and comprehensive program recommended and designed to help individuals recover from a heart attack, heart surgery or other cardiovascular events.
Under most circumstances, most patients are able to start a few weeks after being discharged from the hospital. It involves supervised exercise and education to help patients continue their recovery and improve their physical fitness. Patients will participate in group exercise classes, as well as receive counseling on healthy lifestyle choices.
With the SSIHI approach of reimagining healthcare, patients will be part of a multidisciplinary integrative approach to healthcare that is focused on prevention and balance. A team of healthcare professionals, including cardiologists, nurses, dietitians, mindfulness and meditation practitioners, and trained acupuncturists working together will provide individualized, patient-centered clinical care focusing on recovery and prevention. The program includes regular monitoring of patients’ progress and adjustment of their treatment plan as needed. The ultimate goal of cardiac rehabilitation is to help patients achieve a better quality of life and reduce their risk of future cardiovascular events.
Conditions Treated
Cardiac Rehabilitation is recommended for patients who have experienced the following conditions or procedures:
- Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)
- Stable angina (chest pain)
- Heart valve repair or replacement, or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and mitral clip
- Peripheral transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary stenting
- Heart transplant
- Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)
- Heart failure
Benefits
During the course of the program patients will:
- Gain exercise endurance and strength.
- Decrease the risk of a future heart attack or surgery.
- Prevent heart condition from worsening.
- Improve quality of life
- Learn ways to manage stress.
- Learn tactics to help them quit smoking.
- Have access to additional SSIHI resources such as nutritional education, health coaching, and mindfulness.
The ultimate goal is for patients to feel better and become stronger than they were before their cardiovascular event.
Another aspect of cardiac rehabilitation involves support and education about making healthy lifestyle changes. These changes include eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking.
Cardiac rehab also provides guidance about managing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity.
Participate
Cardiac rehabilitation is by referral only. Once a referral is authorized, Cardiac Rehabilitation staff will call to schedule appointments.
Location
Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute
856 Health Sciences Road
Irvine, CA 92617
Team
Cost
Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute accepts a variety of insurance plans or private pay. Your visit may be subject to a copay and deductible. Please contact us at 949-824-7000 for more information.
See an overview of Cardiac Rehab in Integrative Insider Live webinar below.
