Cardiac Rehabilitation Services

The Borgess Heart Institute offers patients comprehensive, personalized rehabilitation services. As the area’s leader in this important field, Borgess launched the state’s first freestanding cardiac rehabilitation facility in 1975. Today, this program has evolved into the Borgess Health & Fitness Center. A medically based fitness facility, the Borgess Health & Fitness Center offers exercise, nutrition and rehabilitation services tailored to meet individualized wellness goals.

To help patients strive toward improved cardiac health, a team of experienced professionals provides rehabilitation support with two key goals in mind:

• Educating patients and family members about heart disease and how to reduce risk factors, including smoking, obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure

• Offering a safe, customized exercise regimen

Throughout rehabilitation, our team provides you with ongoing encouragement, advice and support. While in rehabilitation, patients have the opportunity to attend valuable classes on wide-ranging health topics, including stress reduction, heart disease risk management, medications, exercise and nutrition.

Designed for Heart Patients

Cardiac rehabilitation sessions are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Patients are observed continuously on a heart monitor during exercise sessions. As patients work out, blood pressure is also measured frequently.

Upon initial orientation, patients are thoroughly evaluated by a registered nurse. We obtain your medical history as well as determine any other health requirements during this first overview. To simplify this initial health assessment, please bring a list of current medications to the orientation.

You and Your Heart Will Benefit

When people have a cardiac-related event, the ultimate goal is to improve heart health. That’s why our highly trained specialists — under the leadership of our medical director — help patients attain the following rehabilitation benefits:

• Decreased risk of depression and stress

• Heightened educational understanding of heart disease

• Increased energy levels

• Ongoing recovery support and guidance

• Reduction in heart disease risk factors, such as body fat, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels

• Safe return to a more active, satisfying lifestyle

Once cardiac rehabilitation is completed and patients are ready to exercise independently, many of our patients choose to become members of the Borgess Health & Fitness Center. The Center offers access to the latest equipment, credentialed professionals and exercise programs specifically designed to help you boost strength, flexibility and aerobic capacity.

Please call (269) 552-2200 for more information about the cardiac rehabilitation program.