Cardiac Rehabilitation

Heal Your Heart With an Expert Team

We help you regain heart function and build endurance for a better quality of life. Board-certified cardiologists, exercise physiologists, registered dietitians, physical therapists and health educators design a program tailored to your needs and goals.

What Is Cardiac Rehab

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program that provides education, support, exercise training and lifestyle coaching. It focuses on reducing your cardiovascular risk factors to prevent a first or second heart attack. Cardiac rehab also helps you recover from heart surgery.

Who Qualifies for Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Talk to your primary care provider or cardiologist about a referral for cardiac rehabilitation. You may benefit from this program if you have:

• Had a recent heart attack
• Had heart surgery
• Heart disease
• Heart failure
• Stable angina (chest pain)

Cardiac Rehab: What to Expect

Cardiac rehab usually begins once you leave the hospital after heart surgery or a heart attack. We design a rehabilitation plan tailored to your physical abilities and medical limitations. In some cases, we recommend a stress test or electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess your exercise tolerance.

You begin a medically supervised exercise program that includes aerobic exercise to enhance endurance, resistance training to build strength and stretching to support flexibility.

We modify the intensity of your program to meet your needs.

Our team also identifies your cardiovascular risk factors and provides education and counseling on how to:

• Control your blood pressure and blood sugar
• Eat a heart-healthy diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Manage your cholesterol
• Plan and stick to an exercise routine
• Quit smoking
• Understand and manage your medications

Throughout every phase of cardiac rehab, we provide education, counseling and support to help you stay motivated and engaged. We can also help you develop strategies for improved well-being, such as coping with stress and better sleep habits.

In-Person Cardiac Rehab

Marlborough Hospital

Marlborough Hospital’s program helps patients adjust to life with heart disease by reducing risk factors and helping them stay as active as possible. Exercise physiologists and nurses provide medical evaluations, education and monitored exercise.

The program is offered at the hospital, 157 Union Street. Tel: 508-486-5465

Harrington Hospital

Patients attending the program participate in exercise, strength training, counseling and education sessions with the goal of returning to better health.

Cardiac rehab is on the main hospital campus, 100 South Street, Southbridge. Tel: 508-765-2295

Virtual Cardiac Rehab

For patients who prefer to participate in an at-home program, UMass Memorial Health has partnered with Movn Health. The program provides weekly one-on-one coaching, online fitness programs, and help with diet, medications, and overall health. In addition to a personal coach, patients have access to nurses, diabetes educators, dietitians and social workers. Additional services include:

• Care delivered by a diverse multilingual team
• Personalized treatment plans
• Remote monitoring
• After patients complete the initial 12-week course, a maintenance program is optional.
   

Specialized Care in Marlborough and Southbridge

We offer cardiac rehabilitation at UMass Memorial Health – Harrington Hospital and UMass Memorial Health – Marlborough Hospital. Convenient locations make it easier for you to get the care you need for a heart-healthier life.