Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program of physical training, nutrition, counseling and disease management for women and men with heart disease.

“The goal of cardiac rehab is to empower the patients to manage their disease through education, counseling and help heart patients recover quickly by improving their overall physical and mental well being,” stated Lisa Buckley, RN, MS, director of cardiopulmonary and rehab services at Hunterdon Medical Center.

“The teamwork between our cardiologists and the staff in rehab is just phenomenal,” she adds.

To ensure the best route to recovery, teams of specialists work together to develop the best program for each patient’s needs, continually monitoring vitals like blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar. Cardiac rehab at Hunterdon Medical Center helps patients begin a safe level of exercise, make heart-healthy lifestyle changes, prevent future heart problems, and return to a full, active life.

Patients in HMC’s intensive cardiac rehab program meet three times a week for 12 weeks. Supervised by a board-certified cardiologist, HMC staff offers instruction and encouragement, boosting patients toward their health goals.

“The hidden pearl with cardiac rehab is the camaraderie and emotional support patients experience in this setting,” Ms. Buckley explains. “The support allows them to learn and share their experiences, and ultimately that gives them the self confidence to believe they are going to recover.”

For more information about cardiac programs available, call the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Department at 908-788-6568.