Frankfort, KY (December 30, 2008) - Frankfort Regional Medical Center is proud to announce the opening of its new phase II cardiac rehabilitation program on January 5, 2009. Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program to help heart patients recover quickly and improve their overall physical, mental and social functioning.
"Cardiac rehab is another great service that the hospital is pleased to offer for greater access and convenience to high quality care," said Chip Peal, Chief Executive Officer. "Frankfort Regional Medical Center is continually looking to add services to meet the healthcare needs of the communities we serve."
Frankfort Regional Medical Center's individualized phase II cardiac rehabilitation program is for patients who have had a recent cardiac event, including a heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery or heart valve surgery, heart transplant, coronary stent or angioplasty, or stable angina. The program lasts for 10-12 weeks consisting of 30-36 sessions, offered three times per week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each session includes 45-60 minutes of telemetry-monitored exercise consisting of warm-up exercises, exercise on treadmills, bicycles, arm ergometer, light hand weights, and cool down exercises. Risk factor education will be given on diet, medication, stress management, smoking cessation and lipid management.
"The goal of cardiac rehabilitation is to stabilize, slow or reverse the progression of cardiovascular disease by promoting cardiovascular risk reduction and healthy behaviors," said Brenda Sherwood, RN, MSN, director of cardiac rehabilitation services at Frankfort Regional Medical Center. "Our staff is trained to work with the patients and their families to deliver appropriate care and to produce the best outcomes."
Cardiac rehab is proven to be a safe and effective way to help those with heart conditions: get stronger, feel better faster, return to former activities, reduce the risk of future heart problems, and live healthier and longer.
Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation will usually begin anywhere between one and six weeks after being discharged from the hospital. Those patients who have had heart attacks, angina, angioplasty, and stenting usually begin rehab within one week. Those who have had open heart surgeries generally start anywhere between two and six weeks after discharge from the hospital.
A physician's referral and insurance pre-authorization are needed to start the cardiac rehabilitation program. Frankfort Regional Medical Center accepts most health insurance plans, including Medicare, that covers the cost of cardiac rehabilitation. A co-payment may be required for each exercise session.
Cardiac rehab is located on the first floor of the hospital next to the cafeteria, near the main entrance. For increased convenience and access, dedicated parking spaces have been made available for cardiac rehab patients near the hospital entrance. For more information regarding Phase II Cardiac Rehab at Frankfort Regional Medical Center, please call (502) 226-7526.
For more information about programs and services offered at Frankfort Regional Medical Center, call our 24/7 physician referral and health information line at (877) FRMC-MD1 ((877) 376-2631) or (502) 226-1655.