Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac Rehabilitation at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Eupora, Iuka and West Point, Mississippi, and Hamilton, Alabama, helps improve cardiovascular health after a heart event or procedure. Our program also benefits individuals who are at high risk for heart disease.

Participating in both phases of Cardiac Rehabilitation helps improve physical status and emotional well-being while reducing your risk of being readmitted to the hospital. Services include supervised exercise, an individualized treatment plan and encouragement for healthy lifestyle changes.

Our team includes physicians, registered nurses, exercise specialists and respiratory therapists.

Phases

Phase I is the inpatient phase of Cardiac Rehabilitation. It begins early after your heart event while you are still in the hospital. This phase includes progression of light activity such as walking in the hallways.

Early education includes:

• Coronary artery disease
• Contributing risk factors
• Smoking/tobacco cessation
• Progression of activity

Phase II is the outpatient portion of Cardiac Rehabilitation. This phase requires a doctor's referral, may involve EKG monitoring and starts around two to four weeks after you go home from the hospital.

During Phase II, most people participate in hour-long exercise sessions two to three days a week. This phase lasts for eight to 12 weeks.

One-hour exercise sessions are offered each Monday-Friday at 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and Noon. 

You will want to wear comfortable clothing and shoes for your exercise sessions.

During each session, we monitor:

• Heart rhythm
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Weight
• Rate of perceived exertion (RPE)

Requirements

You must have a written physician referral and current medical evaluation. The physician's order may include specific recommendations and/or any restrictions. Qualifying heart events may include:

• Heart attack
• Bypass surgery
• Valve repair or replacement
• Heart transplant
• Angioplasty (stenting) or percutaneous transluminal intervention (PTCA)
• Stable angina (chest pain)
• Stable heart failure with ejection fraction < 35%
• Other heart procedures or events (insurance dependent)

Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage for this program varies with each policy. We will gladly provide the necessary information to your insurance provider.

Getting Started

When you return to your surgeon or cardiologist's office for follow-up, please stop or call your local hospital's Cardiac Rehabilitation Department with questions or to make an appointment. 

Accreditation

Our Cardiac Rehabilitation programs in Tupelo and West Point, Mississippi, and Hamilton, Alabama, are accredited by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.