• Reduce the need for hospital stays and emergency room visits
• Decrease blood pressure and improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• Reduce shortness of breath and fatigue
• Increase exercise tolerance
• Reduce stress, anxiety and depression
• Lead to weight loss (when combined with a balanced diet)

You may be a candidate for our program if you are not more than a year out from your cardiac event. Our program benefits those who have or have had the following conditions:

• Heart attacks
• Stable angina
• Valve replacement
• Coronary artery bypass
• Coronary Stent placements
• Coronary Angioplasty
• Heart failure (depending on the severity- criteria for eligibility. Ask if you are eligible)

*American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Carl (Chip) J. Lavie, Jr., MD, FACC, FACP, FCCP
Medical Director, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention
Director, Stress Testing Laboratory

Ochsner Health’s cardiac rehabilitation team is the most experienced of its kind in the region. Our team is comprised of on-site cardiologists who are available to respond in case of an emergency, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certified nurses, exercise physiologists and expert dietitians to help you make healthier choices both at home and on the go.

Cardiac Rehab: Phase 1

Phase 1 of our program occurs during your hospital stay and consists of a visit from a cardiac rehab nurse. Together, you will review your diagnosis, discuss the benefits of your participation in Phase 2 of our program, and go over any questions or concerns you may have about the risks of exercise. Before participating in Phase 2, your doctor will need to place an order.

Cardiac Rehab: Phase 2

Our 36-session program meets in one of three Ochsner Cardiac Rehab locations in the area, three times a week for 12 weeks. Your rehab session will consist of an exercise and educational component. Educational sessions will cover subjects such as Heart Disease and Emotions, Weight Management, Dining Out, What Comes After Phase 2 and more.

Exercise

Get ready for your warm up! Three times a week, you will participate in a monitored exercise class, customized to your level of capability. You will learn how to exercise safely and improve your muscle strength and endurance. A cardiologist will be on-site at all times, giving you the confidence you need to workout with peace of mind.

Your exercise prescription will be based on your fitness level as determined by a lab test and a cardiopulmonary stress test (CPX). As you get stronger, your exercise physiologist will modify your program. At the completion of the 36 weeks, your tests will be repeated and reviewed by our team to determine your progress.

Patients appreciate the flexibility of our program and the frequency of our classes. You will exercise for an hour, warming up with fellow class members, and rotating to a new piece of equipment every 20 minutes. Your routine will include strengthening exercises and a warm down. For your convenience, facilities offer showers and lockers.

Education

To help you understand your heart condition and find ways to reduce your risk of future heart problems, our program includes education, counseling and training. Our cardiac rehab team will help you learn how to cope with the stress of adjusting to a new lifestyle and to deal with your fears about the future.

You will learn:

• About your heart condition, medical therapies, and medications
• Risk factors in your lifestyle contributing to heart disease
• New strategies to modify your risk factors
• About a healthy diet that can lower your blood cholesterol, control weight, help prevent or control high blood pressure, and diabetes
• How to manage stress
• How to stop smoking

Your healthy lifestyle won’t stop after your 36 sessions are completed. After the program, you can enroll in another fitness program, such as those available at Ochsner Fitness Center, including the Medical Fitness Program. You may also enjoy working with a personal trainer.

Metairie – Cardiac Rehab

2005 Veterans Memorial Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70002
504-842-4168

Monday - Friday
7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Last class starts at 3:15 p.m.

St. Charles Parish Hospital – Cardiac Rehab

1057 Paul Maillard Road
Luling, LA 70070
985-785-5645

Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Hours vary. Please call for details.

St. Tammany Parish Hospital – Cardiac Rehab

16300 Highway 1085
Covington, LA 70433
985-898-3781

Monday - Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Cardiac Rehab Program at Ochsner accepts referrals from other hospitals in the region. Because our patients come from all around the world, we help find the best programs close to their homes. Locally, we also work with Xavier to help patients on Medicaid receive the cardiac rehab care they deserve. To make a referral or for more information, call 504-842-4168.

Cardiac Rehabilitation is designed to improve your cardiovascular health and help with recovery after a heart attack, heart failure, angioplasty or heart surgery.

Cardiac rehab includes exercise training, counseling and education. The exercises and program is individually designed for the patient. The exercises can include walking, cycling or rowing.

The program typically lasts for 12 weeks. However, the time investment into your cardiovascular health should last a lifetime.

Insurance companies normally pay for cardiac rehab for patients who have heart issues. For pricing, please contact your insurance company.