If you’ve experienced a cardiovascular event that required hospitalization, your cardiopulmonary rehab will begin while you’re still in the hospital.

Here’s what you can expect from inpatient cardiopulmonary rehab at the Providence Heart & Vascular Center:

• First, you’ll sit at the side of your hospital bed. If this doesn’t cause any dizziness, your nurse will help you get out of bed.
• Once you’re able to get out bed, you’ll walk around your hospital room as you feel comfortable.
• Let your care team know if you have any groin pain, chest pain or other problems while you’re out of bed.

You should continue to walk every day for exercise once you return home, but don’t do any heavy exercises (anything that raises your heart rate over 100 beats per minute) until you’ve been cleared by your doctor. You should also not lift anything heavier than 15 pounds for the first day or two after you return home.

If you had a procedure, you’ll return to the doctor for a follow-up stress test to check on your recovery. The stress test will be done about one to two weeks after you go home.

Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend that you begin an outpatient rehab program after your hospitalization. Outpatient cardiopulmonary rehab helps you get back to your best possible self through our supportive environment, exercise, stress management, nutrition and additional lifestyle modification.

We will work with you to create an outpatient program that’s customized for your condition and needs. A personalized program ensures you experience the full benefits of our rehab services.

Here’s what you can expect from our outpatient cardiopulmonary rehab program:

• You’ll first complete an intake evaluation with an exercise specialist to determine your rehab needs. Bring a list of the medications you’re taking with dosages, your insurance card, photo ID, and a list of any questions you may have to this appointment.
• Next, you’ll begin a customized exercise program that includes regular group exercise classes.
• Your heart rate will be monitored during each exercise class. Please bring a water bottle and wear comfortable running or walking shoes and layered clothing to these classes.
• Your progress and needs will determine how long you continue your customized exercise program.

In addition to your exercise program, you’ll also complete individual and group education to help you better understand your condition and learn ways to improve your cardiovascular and overall health. This may lead you to other intervention programs such as smoking cessation, nutritional counseling and stress management.

The Providence Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program helps patients with qualifying pulmonary diseases including long-COVID-19 learn how to successfully manage the daily challenges of living with this condition. This 10-week program consists of education and exercise classes that are tailored to your current functional ability, pulmonary status and physical fitness.

The goal of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is to help you improve your quality of life, control your symptoms, and reduce your hospitalizations and health care costs. The program can also determine if you would benefit from other intervention services, including smoking cessation, stress management, diabetes education, weight management, nutritional counseling, asthma management, pulmonary rehab or physical therapy.

A physician referral is required to begin this program. We can fax a referral order to your doctor’s office. Please note our intent is to complement your doctor’s care, not replace it.