Cardiac Rehabilitation
Heart Recovery and Wellness at Every Step
Cardiac Rehabilitation can make a powerful difference in recovery after a heart condition or procedure. It helps lower the the risk of another heart event, improve strength and endurance, and build confidence in managing your heart health.
At Exeter Hospital, our Cardiovascular Rehabilitation & Wellness Program provides medically prescribed, supervised care to support recovery and long-term heart health. Within this program, patients can take part in:
- Hospital-Based Education: Support begins during your treatment, with guidance on lifestyle changes and strategies for managing your health.
- Phase II Outpatient Cardiac Rehab: A 4–12 week monitored exercise and education program following a hospital stay.
- Cardiac Wellness: An outpatient program focused on prevention, risk-factor management, and ongoing support. It serves people managing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, as well as those recovering from a heart event who want continued support.
Exeter Hospital’s program is nationally certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) — a recognition of our commitment to enhancing patients’ quality of life through the highest standards of care.
More About Cardiac Rehabilitation
Your recovery starts in the hospital. A cardiac rehab nurse specialist provides guidance on lowering risk factors and managing heart disease, while a registered dietitian offers nutrition counseling to support heart-healthy choices.
Cardiac Rehab helps you:
- Recognize symptoms of heart disease and know when to seek medical attention.
- Reduce your risk of future cardiac events, such as heart attack.
- Build strength, stamina, and confidence to return to everyday activities.
- Start a safe, personalized home exercise plan.
- Achieve a healthier body weight with guided exercise and nutrition support.
This 4–12 week outpatient program begins after hospital discharge and combines exercise, education, and support to help you safely recover and build confidence.
- Telemetry-Monitored Exercise: Supervised sessions that track your heart rate and rhythm while you build strength and endurance.
- Personalized Plans: Tailored exercise and education based on your health history, ability, and goals.
- Group Education: Classes covering heart disease management, medications, stress reduction, exercise, and nutrition.
- One-on-One Support: Individual consults with a registered dietitian and smoking cessation counseling, as needed.
For those who complete the Outpatient Cardiac Rehab Program or want ongoing support, this program offers supervised exercise and education for up to three months. It's also open to anyone seeking long-term lifestyle support for heart health, including:
- Individuals looking to prevent heart disease
- People managing diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, or weight concerns
- Anyone seeking lifestyle changes for long-term health
Most insurance plans cover Cardiac Rehab for patients with:
- Angioplasty (with or without stent)
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)
- Heart Attack (within the past 12 months)
- Heart Transplant
- Stable Angina
- Valve Repair or Replacement
A physician referral is required to enter the program.
