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Cardiac Rehab can help heal your heart, get you back to living life

2/26/2025

Ashley Haas, Aspirus Cardiac Rehab Nurse

When you are living with heart disease, especially if you have just had a heart attack or heart surgery, it is normal to worry about your quality of life going forward. How much activity is too much? Am I eating the right food? Will I get back to doing the things I love? 

 

The unknowns can be overwhelming. This is where the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation team can help.  

 

“Cardiopulmonary rehab, or cardiac rehab, is a medically supervised program designed to help patients with heart and lung problems improve their physical conditioning and learn ways to better their lifestyle,” said Ashley Haas, a Cardiac Rehab Nurse with Aspirus Health. “A typical program lasts 12-18 weeks and during the classes, participants exercise to get stronger, receive heart-healthy education, nutrition, counseling and support.” 

 

Haas adds that the program provides a supervised exercise program but also focuses on life at home with a goal of instilling good habits that can have a positive impact on participants’ health, including mental health and smoking cessation if needed.  

 

“One of the advantages of any cardiac rehab program is the safety aspect of the supervised program,” said Haas. “We are sure to monitor heart rhythm, blood pressure and heart rate to make sure they stay safe.” 

 

She adds that each program is individually designed for each patient and starts at a pace that is comfortable for them.  

 

“We start slow and gradually increase as the program progresses,” said Haas. “We have had people who start the program with a walker and can barely make it into the department from their vehicle without using a walker or having to sit down and take a break. By the time they are done with the program some no longer need to use the walker and have so much energy.”  

 

Cardiac rehab requires a physician referral and is typically recommended for people who have experienced or are at risk of heart-related conditions. Those likely to participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program include individuals who have: 

 

  1. Had a Heart Attack – Especially within the last 12 months. 
  2. Undergone Heart Surgery – Such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve replacement/repair, or heart transplant. 
  3. Had a Coronary Angioplasty or Stent Placement – To open blocked or narrowed arteries. 
  4. Been Diagnosed with Heart Failure – Particularly those with reduced ejection fraction. 
  5. Experienced Angina (Chest Pain) – Particularly if it is a symptom of coronary artery disease. 

 

For more information about cardiac rehab at Aspirus visit aspirus.org/cardiac rehab. 

 
 

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