Cardiac Rehabilitation

at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway

Woman exercising during cardiac rehab

A cardiac event is life-changing. We can help you take care of your heart with comprehensive aftercare and support through the Nicholas Quadrel Healthy Heart Center for Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway.

For nearly 30 years, our cardiac rehab program has been helping patients reduce their risk of new cardiac events and complications through a medically supervised program of exercise, nutritional counseling and support.

You may benefit from cardiac rehab if your medical history includes:

  • Heart attack
  • Stable angina
  • Certain congenital heart diseases
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Coronary artery bypass surgery
  • Angioplasty and stents
  • Heart valve replacement
  • Heart transplant
  • Heart failure
  • Peripheral artery disease
  • Cardiomyopathy

Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation

Heart health affects both your physical and emotional well-being. For people with cardiac conditions, movement is a vitally important part of their quest for improved cardiovascular health. We can work with you to improve your strength and stamina, to feel better in body and mind. There are many benefits to cardiac rehab for people with heart conditions, or who are recovering from medical procedures. Participating in our program can:

  • Raise your sense of self-worth and increase you confidence levels
  • Promote cardiovascular efficiency
  • Help decrease risk factors for coronary artery disease
  • Improve general physical ability
  • Enable you to learn about lifestyle changes
  • Reduce anxiety through education and exercise

How the Cardiac Rehab Program Works

Each cardiac rehab session lasts one hour, three times per week for 12 weeks. A maintenance program is available after 36 monitored sessions.

Evaluation

Initially, a nurse will evaluate you for exercise capacity and will talk with you about your medical history, current medications, nutrition and lifestyle. The nurse would then create an exercise regimen customized for you.

The nurse would make sure you understand:

  • Your physical condition and its medical ramifications
  • How cardiac rehab will help you achieve a better quality of life
  • What steps you will need to take to move forward

Monitoring

When you come in for a session, your blood pressure and heart rate will be monitored throughout. Progress reports would be sent to your referring physician.

Nutrition and Health Information

You would also have access to a registered dietitian you can consult with about your diet. As part of the program, we will provide you with education on:

  • Managing your condition
  • Reducing risk factors
  • Making heart-healthy choices
The lessons you learn about heart-healthy living during your rehabilitation should enable you to make lifestyle changes that can make a difference in your future.

Learn more about how cardiac rehab can help you.

Support and Education

In addition to our cardiac rehab program, we provide cardiac support groups monthly at the Quadrel Heart Center.

We also offer cardiology educational programs at our RWJ Rahway Fitness & Wellness Center that are free and open to the community. We also offer diabetes self-management and diabetes support through our American Diabetes Association-certified Diabetes Self-Management Program.

A comment from one of our patients sums up the cardiac rehab experience: "You have kept me challenged, focused and on the road to a healthy future, always moving forward."

For more educational resources, visit the American Heart Association.

Is Cardiac Rehabilitation Covered by Health Insurance?

Many insurers, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover cardiac rehabilitation services for patients who have recently experienced a heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, chronic heart failure, valve repair and heart transplant, among other conditions. Exceptions do apply, so check with your insurer.

Hours of Operation

We are open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with appointment times at:

7:17 a.m.

8:45 a.m.

10:15 a.m.

2:45 p.m.

4:45 p.m.

To schedule an appointment for cardiac rehab, call 732-499-6056.

Patient Stories

  • “I feel fantastic. There’s nothing that comes up that makes me nervous, and I trust my body so much more than I did a year ago.”

    Kjersti
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Patient Stories

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