William "Buzz" Hall, RN BSN
Ginger Hornsby, Certified Personal Trainer, ACSM
Erica Tripp, RN
Karla Glotfelty, RN BSN, Team Leader
Watson Clinic LLP – Main Clinic
Cardiology Department
2nd Floor
1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33805
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
7:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tuesday and Thursday
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cardiac Rehabilitation is a comprehensive program for patients who have been diagnosed with cardiac disease or who have experienced a cardiac event or procedure such as heart attack, angioplasty, stent placement, or coronary bypass surgery. Cardiac Rehabilitation may include one or more of the following:
Phase I Cardiac Rehabilitation provides education to the patient during their hospital admission. The hospital staff typically provides this phase of Cardiac Rehabilitation.
Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation begins with a referral from your physician. Once the referral has been made, an orientation appointment with the Cardiac Rehab nurses will be made. During your orientation appointment, you will be scheduled for an exercise stress test with a Watson Clinic Cardiologist. The information from this stress test is then used to individualize your exercise prescription and program. Each patient has a specific prescription for exercise and goals for the completion of their program. Each phase II patient is cardiac monitored by a staff of registered nurses who will assist you in advancing your exercise program. The Cardiac Rehab program is a 36 visit program with visits running either three (M, W, F) or two (T, Th) days a week. Chart reviews are completed periodically throughout his/her program. Reviews are conducted with the Cardiac Rehab Medical Director, Dr. Helena Mahias-Cherry. During these chart reviews, programs are adjusted and modified based on patient needs. Referrals to other programs available at the Watson Clinic throughout the community may also be made.
The Life program is a non-monitored exercise program for patients who do not have a cardiac history or have already graduated from the Phase II program. You must have an order from your physician and an exercise stress test in order to begin the Life program.
The exercise consultation is designed for those patients who need to establish an appropriate exercise routine. This may include a patient who is eligible for the Phase II program but lives outside the surrounding area making it difficult to travel 2-3 times a week.
Every Cardiac Rehab patient is eligible to attend a group nutrition class. The focus of the class is on appropriate cardiac nutrition. Our Phase II patients are strongly encouraged to attend this class as a part of their rehab program. The patient’s family members are also welcome to attend.
Group Cardiac Rehab smoking cessation appointments are available with Cardiac Rehab staff certified in smoking cessation by theAmerican Lung Association. This is a one-time class with follow up.
During your orientation and review of your records, the Cardiac Rehab staff will identify your risk factors that are associated with cardiac disease. You will receive education on ways to modify these risk factors verbally from the staff and via educational videos and pamphlets. At times, depending on your level of risk, you may be referred to a class or an individual appointment for counseling regarding a specific risk factor.
Patients who are diabetic or who have been determined by their BMI (body mass index) to be overweight or obese may be referred to a Watson Clinic dietician for one-on-one counseling.
Patient with elevated cholesterol who are not being followed by a physician or who may continue to have elevated cholesterol despite diet and exercise may be referred to the Lipid Clinic.
Patients (determined by their body mass index) to be overweight or obese may be referred to a local weight loss program. These programs are often tax deductible.
Many individuals experience the following benefits as a direct result of a regular exercise program:
- Increases the efficiency of the heart
- Control of high blood pressure
- Improved overall physical conditioning
- Ability to do more work
- Less muscle fatigue
- Better weight control
- Improved stress management
- Greater resistance to other illnesses
- Improves self-confidence and well-being
Call the Cardiac Rehabilitation department at (863) 680-7589 to schedule your one-on-one orientation appointment.
Most insurance companies and Medicare provide coverage for Cardiac Rehabilitation. During your orientation appointment, you will be sent to the business office for review or your coverage for the program.
Registered Nurses and an Exercise Specialist staff the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. Our Registered Nurses have a background in cardiac and emergency medicine and are certified in CPR and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Our exercise specialist has 10 years experience in exercise training and is certified through the American College of Sports Medicine. Our Medical Director, Dr. Helena Mahias-Cherry, has over 19 years experience in cardiac medicine, exercise and rehabilitation.