Cardiac Rehabilitation Services at MCH
Mayo clinic researchers have found that cardiac rehabilitation is associated with significantly reduced mortality rates and prolongs life in a wide range of patients with heart disease.
At Monadnock Community Hospital, we offer a medically prescribed and supervised Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for those individuals with a cardiac condition. The 7-week outpatient program is an important tool to fight heart disease and participating may prevent recurrence or further complications after a cardiac event. It is an integral part of the continuum of cardiovascular care.
Cardiac rehabilitation has three main features.
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- Education. Patients and their families learn how to modify lifestyles to reduce their risk factors. Since coronary artery disease is life-style related and can be an inherited disease, it is important that the patient’s spouse and children do all they can to decrease their own risk of heart disease.
- Monitoring. Individuals are monitored on telemetry while they exercise. Patients exercise at an individually prescribed level indicated by their medical history and personal goals. Patients gain confidence by being active in this medically supervised setting.
- Support. Patients and their families benefit greatly from sharing experiences with others who are in a similar situation. They don’t feel as alone in their fight against heart disease, and encourage each other to keep up the good work.
Cardiac Program Details
Most insurance plans cover all or part of the telemetry-monitored exercise program. A physician's referral is needed to enter the exercise program. Close contact is kept with each patient's physician.
Participation in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Monadnock Community Hospital will improve individual’s health outcomes and quality of life.
Program Eligibility
- MI within preceding 12 months
- CABG
- Stable angina
- Valvular disease
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- PTCA with stent
- Heart Transplant
- Congestive Heart Failure
Education
Education plays an important role in secondary prevention and risk factor modification.
Education topics include:
- Cardiac Structure and Function
- Hyperlipidemia
- Nutrition
- Nutrition 1:1 with Dietitian
- Medications
- Hypertension
- Exercise
- Stress
- Monitoring Skills
- Tobacco Cessation Strategies
Watch & Learn
We’ve created a series of helpful videos on the following topics:
For Physicians
Our 7-week outpatient program is designed to treat patients with a wide variety of heart disease. The exercise, which incorporates stretching, strength training, and aerobic training, is individually tailored to each patient’s abilities.
Referring a Patient
If you have a patient who is eligible for this program and would like to refer him or her, you can fax a referral to us at 603-924-1718. We will be happy to then contact the patient and discuss our program with him or her.
Required information to be sent with the referral: Hospital H&P, Hospital discharge summary following event, Surgical report, EKG, lipid profile and CBC, Catheterization report, Echocardiogram.
Pre-enrollment
Prior to beginning the program, each patient will be scheduled for an initial evaluation with the registered nurse. During this time we will perform a physical assessment, complete a six minute walk test, discuss risk factor management, as well as complete health questionnaires. A repeat 6-minute walk will be performed on the last day as part of our outcomes assessment.
Session Monitoring
Upon arriving to class each client is hooked up to continuous telemetry monitoring and resting vitals and weights are documented. The heart rate and rhythm are monitored throughout exercise and blood pressures are checked. The exercise prescription is individualized and is progressed over time. If the patient has diabetes, blood sugar will be checked prior to and following exercise.
About Liz Peters
Liz Peters has been the cardiac rehab coordinator at MCH since 2013. She is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as an Exercise Physiologist. She began her career at MCH in 2005 and worked in many departments, though all focused on chronic disease management, fitness and wellness. Eventually, she found her niche in cardiac rehabilitation. She has helped to preserve the cardiac rehab program as one of the finest in the state. With patience and compassion, Liz guides and encourages her patients through their recovery. Educating them on beneficial life changes regarding their diet, self-monitoring, and exercise routines. When not at work, Liz is coaching or cheering on her boys Cameron and Aksel, in their sport of the season and spending time with her husband.
Additional Resources
General
American Heart Association – Heart.org
Exercise
Smoking Cessation
Individual Tobacco Counseling – Quit to Be Fit (PDF)
Sleep Apnea
Stress Relief
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