Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital

LOCATION

286 16th Street
Burlington, CO
719-346-5311

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Your Path to a Healthier, Stronger Heart

At Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital, our Cardiac Rehabilitation program is designed to help you recover from a heart attack, heart surgery, or other heart-related conditions. We provide a comprehensive, personalized approach to help you regain strength, improve your heart health, and reduce the risk of future cardiac problems.

The benefits from participating in Cardiac Rehabilitation:

  • Cardiac Rehab Saves Lives! Studies show that it significantly lowers the risk of death for individuals with qualifying heart conditions or those who have undergone cardiac procedures.

  • Enhances Heart Function and Stamina: Strengthen your heart, improving your ability to perform daily activities with greater ease.

  • Reduces the Risk of Future Heart Issues: Lower your chances of experiencing another cardiac event.

  • Supports Healthy Weight Management: Achieve and maintain a healthy weight through guided exercise and nutrition plans.

  • Helps Manage Stress: Learn techniques to reduce stress, improving your overall well-being.

What to Expect:

When you join our Cardiac Rehabilitation program, you’re taking a crucial step toward a healthier heart. Our comprehensive approach ensures you receive the care, knowledge, and support needed for a successful recovery.

  1. Exercise Training: Personalized exercises designed to strengthen your heart. We continuously monitor your progress and share results with your healthcare provider to ensure the best possible care.
  2. Education: Gain essential knowledge about heart-healthy habits to maintain and improve your heart health.
  3. Support: Receive emotional and mental support through counseling, helping you navigate the challenges of recovery.

Who can Benefit:

Cardiac Rehabilitation is beneficial for individuals who have experienced:

  • Heart attack
  • Angina (chest pain)
  • Heart surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or valve repair/replacement
  • Angioplasty and stent placement
  • Heart failure

How to get Started:

Enrollment in our Cardiac Rehabilitation program requires a referral from your healthcare provider. If you or a loved one could benefit from cardiac rehabilitation, talk to your provider or contact us directly for more information.

Cardiac Rehab FAQs

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to help you recover after a heart event, heart surgery, or diagnosis of heart disease. It includes monitored exercise, education on healthy lifestyle habits, and support for emotional and physical recovery.

You may be eligible if you’ve experienced a heart attack, undergone coronary artery bypass or valve surgery, had stents or angioplasty, been diagnosed with heart failure or coronary artery disease, or have other significant heart conditions.

After your doctor refers you, the rehab team designs a personalized plan considering your diagnosis, current physical status, and goals. Components often include exercise sessions, lifestyle education (nutrition, smoking cessation, stress-management), and routine monitoring.

Most outpatient programs run about 12 weeks, meeting approximately three times per week (for approximately 60 to 75 minutes each). The exact schedule depends on your individual goals, medical condition, and insurance coverage.

Benefits may include improved endurance and strength, reduced risk of future heart events, better understanding of your heart condition, support for stress or depression, and improved overall quality of life.

Completing the program is a major milestone, but the journey continues. You’ll be encouraged to maintain healthy habits (exercise, diet, stress-management). Some programs offer long-term support, follow-up sessions, or “maintenance” exercise classes.

Timing depends on your medical condition and physician guidance, but many patients begin outpatient rehab within 2-3 weeks post-hospital discharge. Your rehab team will coordinate with your cardiologist to determine when you’re ready.