Cardiac Rehabilitation

If you've experienced a recent cardiac event such as a heart attack, open heart surgery, angioplasty or heart failure, it’s important to have support recovering and staying healthy for the long haul. That’s what you’ll find at the Aiken Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, where Aiken Regional Medical Centers, the University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) and volunteers from the Mended Hearts organization come together to provide a special healing experience.

The Aiken Regional/USCA Collaboration

Located in the USCA Wellness Center, the outpatient Aiken Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is jointly operated by Aiken Regional and USCA. Patients are supported by an exercise physiologist and supervising physician, and either a nurse or paramedic is always present. The students at USCA are always very interactive with patients, checking heart rates, blood pressure and taking patients through their day-to-day exercises. Programs are individualized for each patient. We focus on the items that will help each patient get back to where they want to be.

Exercise, Strength Building and so Much More

Patients typically attend 36 sessions over 12 weeks. Along with exercise, there is an important educational component that focuses on how to manage risk factors for heart disease and maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle. One of the goals is to instill lifelong tips and information that patients can take with them. Education topics include:

• The heart
• Heart treatments
• Behavior change
• Stress management
• Label reading
• Weight management
• Medications
• Exercise
• Risk factors
• Dining out
• Lipids

Among other services, patients can receive individualized help from a dietitian and a clinical psychologist, as well as employment-related assistance through a connection with South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation. Also, volunteers from the Mended Hearts organization, who have experienced heart issues, visit patients in cardiac rehab to provide support and encouragement.

Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation is covered by most insurance companies, including Medicare. However, coverage may vary depending on diagnosis and insurance provider. Check with your provider for specific questions about your coverage.