Though heart attacks and heart-related problems are inevitable among employees in a country whose leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease, working life does not always stop or even diminish as a result of heart troubles.
Cardiac rehabilitation is an excellent resource for employers to help themselves and employees regain wellness and return to work after heart-related problems. Even better, cardiac rehabilitation offers direct intervention through such services as screenings on business sites, heart education and support to Corporate Health clients – measures that can show workers how to stop a potential heart problem before it happens.
Cardiac rehabilitation is a heart-saver – those who participate show a reduction in the likelihood of dying by up to 30 percent. Ironically, however, only one in five patients currently receives cardiac support. If employers make it their “business” to guide themselves and employees to this resource, heart health in the workplace will progress and improve.
GETTING HELP TO STAY WELL, PREVENT FUTURE PROBLEMS
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program that includes exercise training with a customized exercise prescription, nutritional counseling, group support and education on various health topics.
A patient under the care of a cardiac rehab program also has the added benefit of receiving assistance identifying and managing other conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and depression.
Patients usually participate in cardiac rehabilitation programs for three to six months and may receive long-term follow up. Most patients will come for 36 sessions. Usually two or three times a week. And, important information for many employers and employees – these programs are generally covered by health insurance providers.
RECEIVING AN INDIVIDUAL PLAN
An individual’s diagnosis determines his/her individualized treatment plan (ITP). The ITP shapes the type, amount, frequency, and duration of items and services in cardiac rehabilitation to meet the goals of an individual. A physician establishes and writes the ITP and reviews the plan every 30 days. It is also required to describe the individual’s diagnosis, the type, amount, frequency and duration of the items and services under the plan and the goals set for the individual.
Though cardiac rehabilitation is tailored to meet the patient’s individual healthcare needs and goals, Medicare and Medicaid guidelines mandate the following components be included in a rehabilitation program:
Physician-prescribed exercise, training and other therapeutic exercise including aerobic and strength training Education, counseling and behavioral intervention, which may include a combination of one or more of the following:
- Physical activity
- Nutrition lipid management
- Blood pressure management
- Smoking cessation
- Weight management
- Diabetes management
- Psychosocial management
Psychosocial Assessment – Evaluation of the individual’s mental and emotional functioning as it relates to the individual’s rehabilitation or cardiac condition
Outcomes Assessment – Evaluation of the patient’s progress as it relates to the individual’s rehabilitation goals and program
The demonstrated benefits of cardiac rehabilitation include:
- Return to work or leisure activities
- Reduced symptoms angina, fatigue or shortness of breath
- Deaths reduced up to 30 percent
- Reduction in recurring, nonfatal heart attacks over 12 months
- Increased exercise performance
- Improved cholesterol, (HDL “Happy” cholesterol, LDL “Lousy” cholesterol) and triglycerides
- Increased knowledge about cardiac disease and its management Better perform daily living activities
- Improved health-related quality of life Improved symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Reduced hospitalizations and medical care
- Maintaining a healthy workforce is an ongoing challenge.
However, help is available to strengthen a company’s commitment, not only to its employees, but to its long-range goals for success and growth. For more information on cardiac rehabilitation, please call 864-560-4250 or visit spartanaburgregional.com.
WHAT IS CARDIAC REHABILITATION?
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to optimize a cardiac patient’s physical, psychological and social functioning, in addition to stabilizing, slowing, or even reversing the progression of blockages in arteries, thereby reducing death and disability.
WHO BENEFITS?
Patients with a history of:
- Heart attack
- Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)
- Current stable angina pectoris
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- Angioplasty or receiving stent
- Heart or heart-lung transplant
- Heart failure
- Peripheral artery disease or related conditions
- Patients with diabetes
- Peripheral arterial disease.