Cardiac Rehabilitation
After heart surgery or a cardiac event, rebuild your strength, learn how to establish a healthy lifestyle and work to reduce the risk of future heart problems with cardiac rehabilitation at UNC Medical Center.
Get cardiac rehabilitation care that’s safe, effective, and specially designed to help you recover faster and return to a better quality of life. Our program is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) and by the North Carolina Department of Facility Services.
Experts in Cardiac Rehabilitation
When you choose UNC Medical Center for cardiac rehabilitation, you get top-quality care and support from medical professionals who specialize in helping people with heart conditions get back to a healthier, more active life. Your cardiac rehabilitation team will include:
- Cardiologists – Doctors who specialize in heart care
- Cardiac nurses with advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) training
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)-certified exercise physiologists – Health care professionals who specialize in helping you assess, plan and carry out fitness programs that are safe and enable you to meet specific goals
Comprehensive, Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation
You’ll begin cardiac rehabilitation by meeting with your team to create an individualized program based on your health history, wellness goals and exercise preferences. During the program, which runs for an average of 12 weeks, you’ll participate in:
- Medically supervised exercise designed for you by an exercise physiologist
- Group exercise sessions with others who have similar risk factors and medical conditions
- Nutrition counseling
- Stress management
- Psychological and vocational support
- Health education classes
Exercise physiologists, nurses and a cardiologist are always present during rehab sessions to offer guidance and provide immediate medical assistance, if necessary.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Facilities
Your outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program will take place at UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont in Chapel Hill. This fitness facility offers cardiovascular and strength training equipment, an indoor aquatics center, an indoor track, a health education classroom, a teaching kitchen and more.
You’ll exercise in the center’s clinical fitness area—a private space reserved for rehabilitation programs—or in one of the group fitness studios. You may use equipment like treadmills, stationary bikes, a recumbent stepper, light dumbbells and more.
Bridge to Wellness Program
If you don’t require cardiac rehabilitation but would benefit from a medically supervised exercise program, ask your physician to refer you to Bridge to Wellness at UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont. In this program, you’ll work with our team to create an individualized exercise program based on your health history, wellness goals and exercise preferences. Nurses and exercise physiologists will supervise your exercise sessions.
How Much Does Cardiac Rehab Cost?
If you have questions or concerns about the cost of cardiac rehabilitation or Bridge to Wellness, talk with one of our insurance specialists or financial counselors. They’ll help you determine how much of the cost is covered by your insurance or Medicare and work with you to create a payment plan to cover any remaining balance.
