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Hours of Operation
appointment only
Phone
(248) 338-5613
Cardiac Rehabilitation
A program to assist patients in regaining the greatest level of activity and health possible through teaching and exercise following a cardiac illness or procedure.
Army was 69 years old when he first decided to utilize the McLaren Oakland Phase 2 Cardiac Rehabilitation program in 2001. He had suffered a heart attack and was battling several cardiac risk factors. He and his physicians knew that he needed to make lifestyle changes in order to improve his quality of life and reduce his risk of further cardiac events.
The Cardiac Rehabilitation staff at McLaren Oakland wants to know what each patient's goals are. Our exercise physiologists know the keys to recovery and have the knowledge to educate each patient on their concerns.
Lifelong exercise being the "golden" key. Telemetry EKG monitored Army's heart rate and rhythm during exercise. The cardiac rehab staff monitored his blood pressure and progress.
The staff also monitored his oxygen levels as needed. He started off with the basics: walking on a treadmill to slowly build up his exercise stamina and using a recumbent stepper to strengthen the lower and upper extremities.
Exercise intensity and duration both increase as tolerance for cardiovascular activity expands. Light resistance exercises can also be added in on a patient-by-patient basis as exercise endurance increases.
Michelle Hosang, Non-Invasive Cardiology Manager and Exercise Physiologist says: "Our goal is to make you stronger, more able. We will encourage you to work to the best of your ability, but you're also in charge of your cardiac health. You have to push yourself to gain more strength, and we'll be with you every step of the way with education and guidance. Incorporating daily aerobic exercise, good nutrition, and healthy habits are the keys to regaining your health and confidence."
Since Army began the program, he has decreased his risk of future cardiac events just by becoming more active.
"I've been coming to cardiac rehab for 10 years since I started the Phase 2 program. I've lost 50 pounds, I don't drink coffee, I walk every day, and with Michelle and all the other staff's help, I've done it by making changes to the way I live."
Army continues his participation in the Phase 3 Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.
Phases of Cardiac Rehabilitation
There are three phases to the McLaren Oakland Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. All phases of cardiac rehab require a doctor's referral.
Phase 1 Begins after having bypass surgery, coronary angioplasty, or a heart attack, and consists of inpatient education and introduction to the cardiac rehabilitation services by an exercise physiologist.
Phase 2 Stresses higher levels of aerobic exercise, and is done on an outpatient basis at the main hospital. Patients wear cardiac monitors during exercise and are supervised by the McLaren Oakland team of exercise physiologists. Phase 2 is 12-18 weeks long with exercise sessions three times per week.
Phase 3 Is what could be termed "forever," or as long as the patient is willing to be part of an exercise community focused on keeping their hearts strong through vigorous exercise and resistance training. It's a very inexpensive investment -- $45 per month. This maintenance phase is available at McLaren Oakland and at the Clarkston Health Center satellite facility. Patients receive a blood pressure check before and during the exercise sessions, bi-weekly EKG rhythm checks and a personalized exercise program.
The Cardiac Rehabilitation staff also helps patients look at their behaviors and how they may have contributed to their heart condition. Educational lectures and materials are given throughout each patient's rehabilitation. Including:
- "Cardiac Risk Factor Management" (Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, Smoking, Obesity, Inactivity, Diabetes, Stress)
- "Heart Healthy Eating" with a McLaren Oakland dietitian
- "Heart Anatomy and Physiology"
- "Cardiac Medications" with a McLaren Oakland pharmacist
- "Exercise" (Tracking Your Heart Rate, Benefits of Exercise, Importance of Warm-Up and Cool-Down, Climate Factors, Home Exercise Prescription, Illness and Exercise)
"Patients are given education so that they can return to a good quality of life, even after a major heart intervention. It's important that they understand their condition and that cardiac rehabilitation goes beyond our weekly classes," Michelle says. "We want our patients to leave our Cardiac Rehab program feeling better than they did 10 years ago."
Cardiac Rehabilitation is offered at two locations within the community:
McLaren Oakland
Fitness Center
11 North Perry Street
Pontiac, MI 48342
248-338-5613
Programs offered: Phase 1, 2, 3
Clarkston Health Center- McLaren Oakland
5625 Water Tower Place, Ste 220
Clarkston, MI 48346
248-338-5613
Programs offered: Phase 3
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