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Taking care of your heart – especially after illness or heart surgery – is key to helping you return to your daily activities. One way to help you do that is through cardiac rehabilitation. At Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), we offer cardiac rehab across the region, and we’re especially proud that the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at LVH–Schuylkill has again achieved program distinction. The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation has recertified LVH–Schuylkill for another three years. The center has maintained accreditation since 2000.
To earn accreditation, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center participated in an application process requiring extensive documentation of the program’s practices. “This ongoing certification is a credit to our program and our colleagues who provide the services with the utmost compassion and care,” says LVH–Schuylkill President Bill Reppy. “Our patient satisfaction and success stories rival cardiac rehabilitation services anywhere in the country.”
Certification recognizes LVH–Schuylkill’s commitment to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing standards of care. Cardiovascular programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, angioplasty, stent implants, chest discomfort associated with exertion or stress [stable angina], heart failure, valve surgery, heart transplant) recover faster and live healthier.
Cardiac rehabilitation at LVH–Schuylkill includes monitored exercise using cardiac telemetry units, education, counseling and support for patients and their families. “We are very proud of this service and see first-hand the difference it makes for people in their recoveries and return to optimal functionality following a cardiac episode,” says Crys Zimmerman, Clinical Manager.
Benefits of cardiac rehabilitation can include:
- Improved fitness, strength and endurance
- Emotional and social support
- Stress reduction
- Weight loss
- Lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar
- Improved diet
- Smoking cessation
- Reduction of symptoms including shortness of breath
- Enhanced quality of life
- Optimized activities of daily living
- Decreased risk for future heart problems
- Return to work and play sooner and safer
LVH–Schuylkill’s Cardiac Rehab Center is located on the third floor of LVH–Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street. Private, undercover free parking is available. The center is just steps from the garage elevators near the hospital’s main lobby.
For more information about cardiac rehab offered by LVHN across the region, visit LVHN.org/cardiacrehab.