Hours
The program meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11 AM to 1 PM. Participants attend the program for six weeks or 18 sessions.  There are up to eight people in the program at a time. 

Activities
Each session includes 30 to 40 minutes of education, and 30 minutes of telemetry-monitored physical activity. The educational presentations focus on cardiac risk factors, exercise benefits, medications, stress management, and heart healthy nutrition.

Discussion allows individuals to share concerns, ideas, and tips with each other. People gain practical, hands-on ideas to use at home and reassurances with others undergoing the same challenges with their fight against heart disease.

Goals
Cardiac rehabilitation aims to improve physical fitness and cardiovascular conditioning. Participants are guided through stretching, muscle relaxation, strength training, and cardiovascular exercise. Each participant wears a portable heart monitor so the staff can assess your individual heart rate and rhythm throughout the session as well as blood pressure.

Setting
The program is offered in a fully equipped fitness center with a range of equipment, designed for use by older adults and individuals with limitations or disabilities. Our safe and accessible equipment includes exercise bicycles, treadmills, rowing machines, and stair climbers. There are mats, weights, exercise balls and many other tools to make exercise comfortable and enjoyable at any age, size, and fitness level.

Enrollment
Cardiac Rehabilitation is a medically prescribed treatment for heart disease. Your doctor should refer you for Cardiac Rehabilitation at Valley Regional Hospital.  Once referral information has been received we will schedule a cardiac evaluation.  During this evaluation, you will see a physical therapist and then you will meet with a nurse who will develop a profile of your risk factors and lifestyle. This information will be used to develop individualized plan for exercise and lifestyle changes. Call (603) 542-3458 for more information.