Helping heal and strengthen the heart after cardiac care

Cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to help patients live longer following a heart event. Our cardiac rehab teams develop customized programs that combine exercise and education to help patients safely recover from heart disease, heart surgery or a cardiac event such as a heart attack.

All of our cardiac rehabilitation programs—inpatient and outpatient—are certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation. We have cardiac rehab facilities across the Maryland/D.C. area, so patients can get expert care close to home.

Richard Kief, senior vice president and Chief Philanthropy Officer for MedStar Washington Hospital Center, helps raise funds for MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute, but never imagined he would need their services. An avid bicyclist, he ignored his heart-related symptoms – shortness of breath, a burning sensation in his chest, and a nagging ache in his left shoulder. Finally, he spoke to MHVI doctors and tests revealed extensive coronary artery disease that required a triple bypass procedure. Kief started cardiac rehab as soon as he could. He is shown here with Graham Reid, exercise physiologist. Today, he is back to his very active lifestyle, including long bike rides

Our cardiac rehab teams stay in close communication with patients’ cardiologists and referring physicians. We notify patients’ doctors about any concerns regarding heart rate, heart function or blood pressure, or if there may be a reason to adjust their medication.

Members of a patient’s cardiac rehabilitation team may include:

  • Cardiologists
  • Counselors
  • Dietitians
  • Exercise physiologists
  • Physical therapists

Who should participate in cardiac rehab?

Patients who have one of the following conditions or treatments may benefit from cardiac rehabilitation:

Benefits of cardiac rehab include:

  • Decreased pain and the need for medications to treat your disease
  • Emotional support and decreased stress during recovery
  • Improved stamina, endurance and overall strength
  • Improved quality of life by making it easier to work, take part in social activities and stay independent
  • Reduced risk of future heart events, hospital stays and other heart-related complications

Medical Fitness

Medical Fitness is a medically supervised exercise program primarily beneficial for individuals who have recently completed a Cardiac Rehab program, but is not limited to just those with heart disease. A personalized exercise prescription is created for you by our Exercise Physiologists who also help you monitor and track important vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose (if diabetic) before, during, and after your exercise.

Monthly activity logs with vital signs and exercise information can be provided to show your referring physician your progress and success with a regular exercise regimen.

Medical Fitness requires a referral from your physician in order to begin, and is not covered by medical insurance. The cost of the Medical Fitness program is $30 per month.

What to Expect from Cardiac Rehabilitation

Find answers to frequently asked questions about our inpatient and outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programs.

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