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Cardiac rehabilitation

We help you safely rebuild strength and confidence after a heart event or surgery with supervised exercise, education and long-term support.

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Close up of heart rate monitor measuring heartbeat for patient doing gymnastics for physical recovery. Retired man using sport equipment to exercise for physiotherapy and strength.

What you need to know about cardiac rehabilitation

Atlantic Health helps thousands of patients every year enjoy longer, healthier lives through cardiac rehabilitation. Our programs, which are certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, have three phases.

Inpatient cardiac rehabilitation

Phase I - Progressive, therapeutic exercise designed to build confidence and independence begins immediately following cardiothoracic surgery. Cardiac telemetry registered nurses and exercise physiology specialists guide patients through a personalized mobility routine and teach them the importance of risk factor identification, medical management and good nutrition.

Exercise and nutritional counseling

Phase II – Following discharge from the hospital, patients begin medically supervised exercise to help strengthen the heart, reduce the risk of future cardiac events and improve overall fitness. Our telemetry staff uses electrocardiograms (EKG) to monitor the electrical activity, rate and rhythm of the heart during workouts and makes appropriate adjustments if a cardiac issue arises.

We also provide nutrition assessments and counseling on healthy eating behaviors for those with heart disease and associated risk factors, such as diabetes and obesity. The ideal candidates for this program, which meets three times a week for 12 weeks, are patients who have had a heart attack, coronary bypass surgery, cardiac valve surgery, cardiac transplant, angioplasty, intracoronary stent placement, heart failure or ongoing stable angina.

Heart health maintenance

Phase III – Patients who have completed outpatient phase II rehabilitation and are looking to sustain their fitness can enroll in Atlantic Health’s self-pay maintenance exercise program. It focuses on further improving physical health and cardiac conditioning within the safety of one of our cardiac rehabilitation centers.

A word from a patient

"For the past three months I’ve spent time reflecting on my life and found it was impossible to remember a time when I was surrounded by more caring, professional, concerned, instructive, patient and especially nice people."

Eleanor Ann L., Morristown Medical Center patient

Cardiac rehab locations

Heart care services may vary by location. Please confirm when booking an appointment.

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