CVP rehab is a process of recovery from a cardiac event or accumulated Cardio-Vascular-Pulmonary Hemodynamic dysfunction. The accumulation of vascular damage may be due to a combination of poor diet, chronic emotional stress and insufficient physical activity. Some or all of these risk factors may contribute to the onset of CVP related diseases, much of the resulting damage can be reversed.

CVP rehab is an essential therapy for a diagnosis of Heart attack, Heart failure, Stable angina, Heart or heart-lung transplant, Heart valve repair or replacement, Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) Coronary artery angioplasty with or without a stent or combination of above diagnoses. CVP Rehab shares similar modalities of care as Long Covid, Type II diabetes, COPD, PAD and more.

Cardiac rehab isn’t as common as it should be. Each year, about 800,000 Americans have a heart attack. For 25% of them, it’s not their first one. Cardiac rehab can help prevent a second heart attack and decrease the risk of death over one to three years after taking part in the program. However, only 20% to 30% of those people participate in a cardiac rehab program. The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology endorse cardiac rehab for people with the heart conditions stated above.

Aerobic exercise is  the cornerstone of rebuilding Healthy Cardio-Vascular and Pulmonary function. Depending on patient circumstances activities may include walking, riding a stationary bike or using an elliptical or step trainer or similar modality that utilizes large muscle groups in a rhythmic continuous manner. Oxygen Absorption, Transport and Utilization are the three broad categories of function that define CVP health. Secondary to improving Ae capacity is resistance exercise programing to strengthen muscles and increase base metabolic rate. Also included in the exercise program are activities to improve Balance, Stability, Agility, Gait and Range of Motion

The education process is about identifying and modifying risk factors, reversing the effects of CVP disease along with restoring health.  Understanding the pathophysiology of your diagnosis will help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression that often occur with an escalation of declining health.  associated with an acute MI (heart attack) or chronic conditions like COPD, PAD, CKD and Type II Diabetes.

Education is empowerment, ExRxRehab approach to education is an ongoing process of interactive conversation, sparked by questions. Learning occurs one on one, not in a prerecorded one size fits all presentation about complex physiologic interactions.  Learning is not a singular linear path to comprehension, sometimes analogies make understanding relevant. One on One learning about stress management techniques, blood pressure and hemodynamics, heart healthy foods, cholesterol and blood sugar management can be fun. Having questions answered in real time makes learning more relevant and meaningful. Managing medication compliance, understanding the pathophysiology of your diagnosis is an essential component of reducing anxiety and the cumulative psychosocial effects of heart disease.

Nutrition is also a powerful promoter of health… like fitness, exercise and metabolism, there is an overwhelming amount of misinformation being promoted to sell dietary products, supplements and services. Beyond defining ideal foods is the challenge of knowing the “when and how much” based on fluctuations of daily activity.

What you can expect….

• Completing a cardiac rehab program can add up to five years to your life expectancy.
• Help you recover and get stronger after a heart attack, heart surgery or another heart issue.
• Help lower your risk of having another heart attack.
• Decrease your risk of serious “secondary illness” as a result of primary cardiac event.

This Cardiac Rehab page provides answers to FAQ and more specifics of service delivery. If you have been referred by a physician, the process starts with a free one hour consultation . The initial consultation provides an opportunity to decide if ExRxRehab Services and Fees match your needs and your readiness to begin a plan of care (POC).

Before the initial consultation you will be asked to provide medical history, current medications and referring physician. The Video based consultation will include conversation and questions to reveal your challenges and barriers to successful recovery and achieving your personal goals.

Access to Care your way. Options include “60 min. In-Person at your home”, “30 min Virtual -Tele-Med Secure On-Line” and “A Hybrid Combination of Both”. Options also include Saturday availability for all modes of access. Another option that is very convenient is 15-minute phone or Video Tele-Med “Check-In” to address issues relating to your POC.

Phase 2 Cardiac Rehab includes monitored physical activity, education, risk factor modification, nutrition and lifestyle behavior changes. As your knowledge and understanding of CV disease management increases along with physical improvements you will transition to Phase – 3 which is less intensive. Eventually you will become self-directed, needing only occasional coaching and exercise demonstration to maintain the gains you have accumulated.

If your asking why I offer all these options with an abundance of access, the answer is simple.  This is an exclusive service, devoted to quality of care and patient success. This degree of 1:1 attentiveness to every patient’s needs is not obtainable through a conventional health care system. This is a self pay service with limited availability because demand far exceeds availability and because this level of service is not sustainable at insurance reimbursement rates. As a patient transitions to Phase-3 or a maintenance phase, new availability is first offered to patients on a waitlist.

A plan of care is defined by clinical criteria and best practice. This method of defining what is in the patient’s best interest is the highest standard of care. Anything less than the ideal is a compromise to accommodate the situation and a philosophy of “something is better than nothing”. The cost is commensurate to the dedication and uncompromising level of attentiveness, availability and overall quality of service.

Some patients may only require 5 weeks of Phase 2 in home of 2x per week, others may need 3x per week in home for 20 weeks. If patient preference and low severity of condition allows for mostly Virtual / Tele-Med and only occasional in person visits that is also an option.

Accommodations and flexibility is provided to maintain continuity of care when a patient schedule changes due to personal or work related obligations. The option for Tele-visits keep you on track and progressing according to your own pace, not the group class approach to Cardiac rehab.

Before defining a strategy and plan of care an assessment is completed using your referring physician’s medical records, recent labs and procedure results. Individuals referred because of a recent Cardiac event will likely have all the needed information in their medical records.

Your written consent is needed to obtain your medical records from your PCP and Specialist along with a tele-med consent. To complete these forms electronically we will create a HIPPA compliant EMR patient portal. The patient portal also provides a secure platform for Remote Tele-Visits, the exchange of written messages, documents and your scheduling calendar.

We have discussed the how and why of Cardiac Rehab, you know the delivery options, you have provided your medical history and clinical notes and you know the potential cost, which is not determined until there is a plan of care. Next is task of translating the assessment into a plan of care.

A good faith estimate will be provided through your secure patient portal for your review. Upon your acceptance of the POC, additional forms will be sent to you for your signature and a schedule will be built in the online patient portal calendar. Your EMR portal provides secure easy two-way communication, appointment request option, and appointment reminders.

… it is now time to “live your best life”

You are now ready to transition from Patient to Client, but I may still refer to you as my patient. Your functional capacity is within or above normal ranges for your gender and age.

You now know more about food – nutrition, Cardiac Risk factors, preventative cardiology, heart disease, blood cholesterol, hypertension, physiology of exercise, stress management and hemodynamics that is far above the average person.

You are in a maintenance phase of health and wellness…