St. Nicholas Hospital Services Heart Care Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab
St. Nicholas Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab

Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab 

healthy heart, happy life

Regular, progressive exercise and disease management can be extremely beneficial in recovery from illness or injury, in managing chronic health conditions, and as a goal in improving overall fitness and conditioning levels.

The HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department encompass a variety of therapeutic exercise programs for patients with chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and diabetes, as well as for individuals recovering from illness or injury. Our program is accredited through the American Association of Cardiovascular Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).


Cardiac Rehabilitation

 

Cardiac rehabilitation is a specialty service designed to assist individuals to recover fully following a heart attack or other heart problem. The nationally certified program is based on standards established by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. It is offered in three phases to meet the needs of new cardiac patients as well as individuals maintaining their cardiac health on an outpatient basis. All phases are designed to help individuals lead productive, active and healthy lives. Fitness training, strengthening and cardiovascular risk factor modification are part of each phase. Cardiac rehabilitation is provided by a multidisciplinary team trained in cardiac care. The team includes registered nurses with advanced cardiac rehabilitation training and certification, a registered dietitian, exercise physiologists and members of the health care team.

 

AACVPR-Certified Program

HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital's cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitiation program is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), recognized for our commitment to improving the quality of life by enhancing standards of care. 

AACVPR-certified programs are recognized as leaders in the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation because they offer the most advanced practices available. 


Pulmonary Rehabilitation

 

Patients with chronic lung disease (COPD) such as asthma, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis and bronchitis as well as individuals with other pulmonary diseases and conditions may be referred by their physician to the HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. This nationally certified program is based on standards from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. It features supervised exercise and education designed to help individuals with chronic lung disease break through the cycle of breathing difficulties, fatigue and depression.

A multidisciplinary group of pulmonary rehabilitation professionals, including a board-certified pulmonologist, nurses, respiratory therapists, dietitians and exercise physiologists, work together to help participants improve their quality of life and enhance their ability to perform daily living activities.

Tertiary Care 

 

Sometimes certain health conditions, such as those requiring open heart surgery, neurosurgery, or neonatal intensive care, are best treated at tertiary care facilities. These facilities offer healthcare services provided by specialized practitioners and which require highly sophisticated technologies and facilities.

HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital and Physicians' Health Network partner with a number of tertiary care facilities in our region to best meet the needs of patients and employers. These facilities include, but may not be limited to the following.

  • HSHS St. Vincent Hospital

  • Children's Hospital of Wisconsin

  • Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital

  • Mayo Clinics and Hospitals

The tertiary care provider(s) available to you are determined by your insurance plan. Check with your health care insurance provider or your employer's People Services Department for information about the tertiary care facilities included in your health plan.