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Cardiac Rehabilitation: Recovery After a Heart Event

Friday, January 31, 2025

close up of heart rate monitor measuring heartbeat

Cardiac events such as heart failure or stroke are life-altering experiences. It’s therefore normal to have an overwhelming mix of thoughts and feelings afterward, from gratitude and hope — to frustration and wariness about the journey that lies ahead. While it will inevitably have its bumps, the road to recovery will be filled with support from our cardiac rehabilitation specialists.

Here, we detail what you can expect from the healing process after a heart event.

What does cardiac rehabilitation entail?

Immediately following a cardiac event, doctors work quickly to save lives and stabilize the heart. Cardiac rehabilitation involves all of the care that comes afterward, enabling you to recover to the fullest possible degree while improving your heart health and reducing your risk of future complications.

Within this medically supervised program, you’ll receive education, exercise, and counseling support, with specific elements tailored to meet your individual needs. In addition to covering the physical components of heart health, we also consider emotional and lifestyle factors when structuring rehabilitation programs.

Typically, cardiac rehabilitation encompasses the following main components:

  • Medical assessment: Our cardiologists perform thorough evaluations to understand your current health status, risk factors, and physical capabilities.
  • Exercise training: Physical activity is important not only in your cardiac recovery but for long-term heart health. You’ll work with rehabilitation specialists to get your heart pumping in a way that’s healthiest for you.
  • Lifestyle support: From your food choices to medication and stress management, cardiovascular wellness is an all-encompassing endeavor. For this reason, cardiac rehabilitation is a collaborative effort that may involve working with nutritionists, physical therapists, and counselors, among others. You’ll learn to navigate risk factors and care for your heart through activities such as smoking cessation, heart-healthy eating, and practices to proactively handle daily stressors.

What Are the Benefits of Cardiac Rehab?

Rehabilitative work can feel tedious at times. Yet, sticking with your program will prove worthwhile, and has been linked to a number of compelling benefits:

  • 47% Lower risk of death
  • 31% Lower risk of future heart attack
  • Reduced risk of hospital readmission

Rehabilitation can also help you achieve and maintain better overall wellness, including your emotional and mental health. Patients who stick with their sessions have a lower incidence of depression and anxiety and a better overall quality of life.

Who Is Eligible for Cardiac Rehab?

Several cardiac events may call for rehabilitation, including surgeries such as coronary artery bypass, angioplasty, stent placement, and heart valve procedures. In some cases, treatments may follow a cardiac event, such as a heart attack. Other conditions that may lead to cardiac rehab could include:

  • Angina
  • Arrhythmia
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Congenital heart defects
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Heart failure
  • Heart valve disease
  • Peripheral artery disease

The condition you’re facing will play a significant role in shaping your recovery program.

Your Role in Cardiac Rehab

Our specialists lay the foundation for a strong and effective recovery following a cardiac event, but it’s your commitment that will ultimately promote your long-term heart health. Here are some tips to help you succeed:

  • Work towards the goals established in your program. Whether it’s quitting smoking, modifying your diet, exercising more, or a combination of these objectives, small steps add up toward a healthier future.
  • Continue taking your medications as prescribed. Set reminders or alarms on your phone, and use tools like weekly pill containers to stay on track.
  • Attend your follow-up visits, and follow your provider’s guidance for tracking metrics such as blood pressure or blood sugar.

Schedule an Appointment With SouthCoast Health’s Cardiologists

If you’ve experienced a cardiac event, SouthCoast Health’s extended network of providers encompasses cardiologists, physical therapists, dietetic counseling, and other specialists to support you through your healing. To begin your journey towards a healthier future, request an appointment with one of our providers online or by calling 912.691.3600.


Whether you are looking for a primary care doctor or a pediatrician, or another medical specialist, SouthCoast Health has you covered with its wide range of world-class healthcare services, available throughout the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry. SouthCoast Health has 120 physicians and medical professionals in 18 locations in Savannah, Richmond Hill, Pooler, Rincon, Baxley, Hilton Head, Hinesville, and Statesboro. SouthCoast Health offers comprehensive medical services including: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Allergy and Asthma, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Eye Care, Imaging, Infectious Diseases, Nephrology, Neurology, Physical Therapy, Podiatry, Surgery, Clinical Trial Research Studies, Diabetic Self-Management Training Sessions, Dietetic Counseling, Laboratory Services, Massage Therapy, Optical Shop, Pharmacy, and Urgent Care.

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