Cardiac Rehabilitation
An important part of North Knoxville Medical Center’s heart care is helping patients return to the activities they enjoy. The multidisciplinary cardiac rehab team of physical therapists and nutrition and exercise specialists work together to design a tailored program to improve patient’s heart health as they recover from heart attacks, heart surgery and coronary intervention procedures, such as angioplasty.
What conditions may benefit from cardiac rehabilitation?
- Chest pain or angina
- Congenital heart disease
- Heart failure
- Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Peripheral artery disease
- Post-heart transplantation
- Post-open heart surgery
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Stent placement
What is part of a cardiac rehabilitation plan?
Following a physician’s referral, the heart care team will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the best cardiac rehab plan to meet each patient’s individual goals. These plans include:
Heart disease education - Before leaving the hospital, patients learn about their disease and risk factors that contribute to heart disease, such as high blood pressure. They know what to expect during and after recovery, and receive home-exercise recommendations.- Exercise counseling and support – Patients begin a medically supervised, monitored exercise program that includes individual support from exercise professionals. Once monitoring is no longer necessary, patients continue with a customized exercise program and learn how to incorporate activity into their lifestyle.
- Lifestyle education - Heart-healthy lifestyle changes – Throughout the cardiac rehabilitation program, patients learn about good nutrition, stress management techniques and how to incorporate these behaviors into their lifestyle. During the maintenance phase of rehabilitation, continuing education will help reinforce healthy habits long term.
- Individual support – Health educators, exercise professionals, dietitians and other rehabilitation specialists provide support and education throughout the recovery process. You can depend on a dedicated group of individuals who are focused on recovery.
Make an appointment at:
1-865-859-7940
Meet The Providers