Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cottage provides comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programs for people with heart disease. Our program is a medically prescribed, supervised program that helps heart patients return to healthy, active lives.
We focus on healthy lifestyle changes, physical conditioning, and education. Patients receive personal care and support from our specially trained experts.
The program is divided into three phases:
- Phase 1 begins in the hospital.
- Phase 2, EKG monitoring, starts one to two weeks after leaving the hospital, and is followed by:
- Phase 3, the maintenance portion.
Phase 2 lasts 8 to 12 weeks (limit of 36 visits).
On the first day, patients meet in private with the staff and learn about the program. Hour-long group classes meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.
In Phase 3, exercise classes are held Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Services include:
- Exercise and counseling with a physical therapist and a registered nurse
- EKG and blood pressure monitoring during exercise
- Risk factor education and counseling
- Meeting with a registered dietitian
- Free weekly Heart Smart Lecture Series: six lectures for patients and family, presented by cardiac experts on topics such as nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, and the risk factors of heart disease.
Who needs cardiac rehab?
Anyone who has had the following in the past year:
- Stent or PTCA (angioplasty)
- Heart attack
- Stable angina
- Heart surgery
What are the benefits?
- Safely improve the ability to do daily activities
- Improve cardiac and overall fitness
- Lower risk of cardiac disease
- Manage stress, blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes
- Quitting smoking
- Weight loss
- Social and emotional support
- Greater self confidence
Will insurance cover Cardiac Rehab?
For Phase 2, Medicare and many other insurance companies cover most of all of the cost. For Phase 3, patients pay a small monthly fee. Patients should check with their insurance companies to find out what will be covered before entering Cardiac Rehab.
How do I get started?
A doctor's referral is required to enter Cardiac Rehab. To make an appointment or ask questions, please contact Therapy Services at (805) 569-7201.
Cardiac Rehab is located at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, on the 1st Floor (see map).