UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab

Exercising your heart safely and effectively after a cardiac event or surgery helps improve your quality of life and can prevent a future heart attack or stroke.

That’s our goal at UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab. Your medically supervised exercise plan includes fitness equipment that monitors your heart and lungs. Our program is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Care team

Your care team includes nurses, exercise physiologists, and dietitians who specialize in strengthening your heart and lungs while helping you manage your symptoms. During your visits, we review your medications, symptoms, and home exercise program. We also recommend nutrition and lifestyle changes that can help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure and improve your overall health. If you need help coping with stress or have other challenges, we can connect you with our supportive services.

A doctor’s referral is required to participate in the program. Medicare Part B and other private health insurance plans provide a covered benefit for participating in cardiac rehabilitation. Your care plan includes consistent sessions that may span 6-12 weeks or more.

Eligability for the program is based on your heart condition and recent heart surgery or procedure, such as:

• Bypass surgery
• Congestive heart failure
• Coronary stent or angioplasty
• Heart attack
• Heart transplant or heart pump
• Heart valve replacement or repair
• Treatment for angina

Features and benefits

Our cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program focuses on:

• Controlling weight and improving cholesterol levels
• Creating healthy lifestyle habits and managing stress
• Increasing self-confidence
• Reducing symptoms and helping prevent another cardiac event
• Returning to work and activities of daily living
• Strengthening and conditioning the heart and lungs
• Understanding medications and how to manage your heart condition

Your care doesn’t end after completing your cardiac rehabilitation program. We also connect you with community fitness and wellness programs.