Cardiac Rehabilitation
After an event such as a heart attack or a surgical heart procedure, rehabilitation is one of the best ways to live a full, healthier life. You'll safely regain strength and endurance with supervised exercise and education tailored to your needs.
Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation
After completing rehabilitation, you may:
- Have more energy and less fatigue
- Do your daily activities more easily
- Feel less anxiety about your health
- Reduce your risk of future heart problems
- Live a longer, healthier life
Inpatient & Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation
Your doctor will recommend the right level of rehabilitation for your needs:
- Inpatient cardiac rehabilitation, or Phase I, starts immediately after your hospitalization when you are able to exercise and are medically stable
- You stay at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
- You receive rehabilitation care: Up to three hours of therapy each weekday and up to two hours of therapy over the weekend in a combination of physical, occupational, and/or speech.
- Use of advanced technologies to improve strength and functional abilities
- Nurses and doctors care for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, or Phase II – You stay at home and visit us for therapy.
Inpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation
Who Needs Inpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Burke can help adults who have experienced:
- Stable coronary artery disease
- Coronary angioplasty and/or stent placement
- Coronary artery bypass surgery
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- Aortic aneurysm repair
- Peripheral vascular disease bypass or stent
- Heart failure
- Heart surgery
- Heart transplantation
- Left ventricular assistive device (LVAD) implantation
- Implantation of cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator for cardiac arrhythmia
Admission to inpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation
Your doctor, social worker or another professional may refer you to Burke Rehabilitation Hospital for inpatient cardiac rehabilitation. We’ll review your medical records and insurance coverage to confirm our program is right for your needs. Your condition should be stable (not worsening), and you should be able to take part in three hours of therapy each weekday, spread over morning and afternoon.
If you have questions, call the screening department at (914) 597-2519 or email us. See a list of insurance plans we participate with and talk to your insurance provider about your care coverage.
Learn what you can expect at Burke Rehabilitation—from the time you arrive to when you go home:
Cardiac Team
Your Burke care team puts you at the center of goal setting and treatment. The cardiac care team members work closely together to address all of your needs. The team meets weekly to discuss how you’re doing and adjust your personalized care plan so you make steady progress toward achieving your goals.
Your Burke Rehabilitation Hospital care team may include:
- Doctor specializing in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
- Other specialty doctors as needed
- Nurse practitioner
- Neuropsychologist
- Nurses
- Occupational therapist
- Physical therapist
- Recreation therapist
- Respiratory therapist
- Social worker
- Speech-language pathologist
Because you’ll see many types of professionals, you’ll get well-rounded care that addresses all your needs.
Inpatient Support Services
From the moment you’re admitted to the hospital, we’ll make sure you have access to all the health services you need, such as:
- Lab tests
- EKG and Holter Monitor
- Telemetry with exercise
- Nutrition services
- Pharmacy services
- Radiology
- Spiritual care
- Wound care
- Family and caregiver support
To learn more about the program, please refer to the program description. [pdf]
Inpatient Education
You and your family will learn how your condition or injury affects your abilities and how to take care of yourself going forward. Your family plays a key role in recovery, and we’ll involve them whenever possible. This includes inviting your family to come into the hospital for hands-on training with specific members of your cardiac team, in order to prepare for a safe discharge.
Outcomes
View our outcomes report for information about our cardiopulmonary program.
Leaving the Hospital
Discharge planning starts early in your stay at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital. A social worker or case manager will talk with you, your family and the rehabilitation team to recommend next steps after leaving the hospital. Options may include:
- Go home and receive in-home therapy
- Start outpatient rehabilitation
- Transition to another facility for continuing care
Your best option depends on your home environment, level of support, and your current health and abilities. Most patients go home after discharge.
Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation
After you leave the hospital or receive a new diagnosis of heart disease, your doctor may prescribe outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation has been shown in medical research to be the gold standard of care for people with heart problems.
Certified Outpatient Program
Burke Rehabilitation operates the White Plains area’s only cardiac rehab program certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation(AACVPR). Trust our qualified staff for care that’s tailored to your needs, keeps you safe and improves your health in measurable ways.
The 36-session program helps you:
- Increase the amount of time you are able to exercise
- Reduce chest pain, fatigue and stress
- Improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels
- Lose weight
- Stop smoking
- Improve your mood
In a structured group setting, clinical exercise physiologists (EPs) guide you through a series of aerobic exercises on a variety of equipment. A doctor continuously monitors your heart rate during exercise. EPs regularly measure blood pressure and other vital signs and provide education on living a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Criteria for Outpatient Rehabilitation
You may qualify for the outpatient program if you meet any one or more of these criteria:
- You had a heart attack in the past 12 months
- You had any of these in the past 12 months:
- Angioplasty (PTCA) and/or stent placement
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
- Diagnosis of stable angina (chest pain)
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- Heart transplantation
- Chronic Heart Failure
How to Enroll in Outpatient Rehab
Ask your doctor for a referral to outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Your physician must include your diagnosis and date of onset and then fax the referral to (914) 597-2801. Or, call Burke at (914) 597-2802 and we will send the referral form to your doctor. After we receive it, we’ll perform a medical screening and confirm your insurance coverage. Then, we’ll call you to schedule an appointment.
Where to Go for Outpatient Rehab
Cardiac rehabilitation takes place on Burke’s main campus, 785 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY, Building 4, Second Floor.
Insurance Coverage
Most insurance plans cover cardiac rehabilitation. Medicare typically pays for 36 visits. More may be covered if you have an additional qualifying diagnosis. Burke participates with many insurance plans.
After Outpatient Rehabilitation
Before you complete your cardiac rehab program, you’ll receive a discharge packet with a safety guide and home exercise plan that’s customized for your needs. We encourage a heart health maintenance program at our Fitness & Wellness Center. There, certified fitness instructors or exercise physiologists guide and supervise your activity to help keep you safe and healthy. You’ll have access to:
