Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation is an insurance-covered program that combines supervised exercise and education to support heart and lung health. It’s led by clinical exercise specialists and overseen by board-certified heart and lung doctors.
The goal is to help patients safely build strength, improve breathing, and create healthy habits that support long-term wellness and quality of life.
What Is an Exercise Physiologist?
An exercise physiologist is a clinical professional who has earned a master’s or bachelor’s degree in the field of exercise physiology. The clinical exercise physiologist works under the supervision of a physician to implement exercise programming and behavioral interventions, which have been scientifically proven to have functional and therapeutic benefits for specific patient populations.
Most clinical exercise physiologists hold professional certification from a nationally accredited professional organization, such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or the American Associated of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).
Who Qualifies for Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation?
Cardiology patients referred by their cardiologist, who may have one of the following diagnoses:
- Cardiomyopathy
- Heart failure
- Post heart transplant
- Chest pain or angina
- Valve surgery
- Coronary artery disease
- Asthma
- Bronchiectasis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD)
- Other heart or lung conditions with physician referral and insurance approval
Benefits of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
- Improved cardiovascular health and function
- Decreased symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain
- Increased muscular strength and endurance
- Improved weight management
- Increased knowledge of heart-healthy behaviors
- Improved nutrition
- Improved knowledge of cardiac medications and compliance
- Improved ability to complete activities of daily living
- Decreased hospital admissions
What to Expect from the Program
- This is an outpatient program that combines supervised exercise with lifestyle education
- Most participants attend 2–3 sessions per week, up to a total of 36 sessions
- Each exercise session is personalized to fit your health needs and goals, with monitoring to ensure safety and progress
How to Get Started
- Talk to your doctor about joining the program
- Get a referral or physician’s order
- Check your insurance to confirm coverage
- Schedule your sessions — aim for 3 times per week
- Reach your fitness goals with encouragement and guidance from our expert team
Make an Appointment
Call to make an appointment with one of our specialists. Appointments are available Monday-Friday.
Looking for other options? Please contact our exercise lab to learn more about the exercise services that we can provide.