Cardiovascular Diseases in Minnesota

Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Program

Ray Squires, Ph.D.
Program Director

For people with a history of cardiovascular disease, proven ways to improve their health and reduce their risk of future cardiovascular events include: make positive changes in eating and physical activity habits, maintain a healthy weight, avoid tobacco use or exposure, and take prescribed preventive medications. Although these important treatments are well known, putting them into practice isn't always easy.

To help patients navigate the road to cardiovascular health and practice preventive therapies, the Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Program (part of the Cardiovascular Health Clinic) at Mayo Clinic creates a personalized rehabilitation plan for each patient, including exercise prescription, supervised exercise training, risk factor management, nutrition counseling, tobacco cessation counseling and regular evaluations. The program also serves individuals at risk of developing cardiovascular disease, such as those who have high blood pressure, diabetes or other conditions.

Who Should Participate in the Program?

Program is open to all patients with cardiovascular disease or have experienced a heart attack, coronary bypass, coronary angioplasty, angina, chronic heart failure, organ transplants, peripheral artery disease or coronary risk factors.

Individual Focus, Many Options

Because every patient enters the Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Program with a unique history, case managers tailor the experience to meet each patient's needs. Aspects of a cardiovascular rehabilitation plan typically include:

• Highly supervised exercise program in a state-of-the-art facility
• A learning center, which offers:
• Special classes such as tai chi, yoga, and balance exercises
• Cooking demonstrations by an executive chef in our instruction kitchen
• Complimentary written resources
• Nutrition counseling
• Individualized risk-factor management with regular evaluations by prevention specialists
• Long-term follow-up

Comprehensive Program

To serve the needs of patients in the program, various phases are available. They include:

• Phase One: Hospitalization. Evaluation, education and rehabilitation efforts begin while the patient is still in the hospital following a cardiac event.
• Phase Two: Highly Supervised. In the immediate post-hospitalization period, patients begin attending classes and participate in a regular exercise program, but are closely monitored by exercise specialists, registered nurses, physicians, and others. This phase is covered by most major insurance plans.
• Phase Three: Transition. Patients who do well in Phase Two are typically advanced to Phase Three, which helps the patient gradually transition to an exercise and wellness program with less intensive day-to-day supervision.
• Phase Four: Maintenance. Patients progress to Phase Four when risk factors are controlled and the patient has learned sufficiently about the areas affecting cardiovascular health. The case manager continues to track the patient's progress; however, patients are responsible for continuing their exercise and nutrition plans.

Patients at risk for developing cardiovascular disease — those with the metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure or cholesterol problems — usually enter the program directly into Phase Four.

This phase typically is not covered by insurance, but Mayo offers affordable rates. A monthly fee is charged for the maintenance program. This fee is comparable to the fees at local health clubs, with an added benefit of having cardiovascular rehabilitation personnel on site. Spouses or partners of patients in the program also can join at Phase Four through the Spouse Program. For some patients, support and participation of a family member can help keep them motivated.

Patients who will be treated at Mayo Clinic for a short time can still participate in the program. For example, patients who have heart transplants at Mayo participate for as long as they stay in Rochester following their hospitalization. Follow-up appointments are available when patients return for checkups. This service is extended to any patient being treated at Mayo Clinic.

Appointments

To participate, patients must be referred to or evaluated by the Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Program. To make an appointment, please call (507) 266-7607 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Central time. For more information, please call (507) 284-4445.

Rehabilitation Center Staff

Ray W. Squires, Ph.D., Program Director
Randal J. Thomas, M.D., M.S., Medical Director
Carmen M. Terzic, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Medical Director
Certified Exercise Specialists
Registered Nurses
Registered Dietitians
Cardiologists
Exercise Physiologists
Executive Chef