Passport to a Healthy Heart

Cardiac Rehab

Join a cardiac rehab program Work out your mind, body and spirit Cook heart-healthy meals Stay informed

Join a cardiac rehab program

Cardiac rehabilitation at Memorial Hermann involves three phases.

Phase I, the inpatient phase, begins as soon as you enter the hospital following a cardiac event or immediately following surgery. In Phase I, you are assisted as you get out of bed and begin to walk around. You and your family will learn about heart disease, how to modify your risk factors and ways to return to an optimal level of functioning after you leave the hospital.

Phase II cardiac rehab is a 12-week, 36-session outpatient program that begins immediately after discharge from the hospital. Telemetry-monitored exercise, nutrition, stress management, smoking awareness classes and CPR training are all part of Phase II. The program will help you and your family adjust to life with heart disease. You’ll learn about the modifications you’ll have to make in your lifestyle to improve your health.

We’ll ask you to take treadmill stress tests before beginning the program and upon completion to aid us in developing and evaluating the effectiveness of your comprehensive exercise plan.

Phase III is a maintenance program that will help you continue lifestyle modifications through a monitored exercise program. People who are at high risk of heart disease, but have not had a cardiac event, may also enroll in this part of the program.
    

Getting Started

You’ll need a referral from your doctor to participate in our cardiac rehabilitation program. If you’re not currently seeing a doctor, find a cardiologist.

Commit to a lifetime of well-being and personal achievement

As Houston's most complete medical/fitness health facility, the 80,000-square-foot Wellness Center, located adjacent to Memorial Hermann Southwest, offers a variety of fitness, wellness, therapeutic and psychological wellbeing programs.

Memorial Hermann and the YMCA of Greater Houston are community partners dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities with a network of locations that offer medical services and wellness programs.

Understanding your target heart rate can help you maintain a healthy weight.

Mended Hearts is a national non-profit organization made up of and serving people with heart disease and their loved ones. Mended Hearts welcomes anyone who is interested in learning to help those with heart disease. The network is made up of heart patients, family members, caregivers and healthcare professionals who provide information and support to recovering patients and their family during hospital visits, by telephone, through group meetings and via the Internet.

You can enjoy a quality life – even after a heart event. You can even help prevent future heart events. You may need to make lifestyle changes related to your diet, exercise, smoking and stress. Attending the local chapter Mended Hearts meetings offers the support and encouragement to choose the healthy alternatives in life.

Call 713-222-CARE (2273) to find out more about Mended Hearts at Memorial Hermann.
   

Cook heart-healthy meals

Explore the world of heart-healthy cuisine through the Passport to a Healthy Heart cooking class series hosted by the Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute. During each class, a Central Market chef will teach how to prepare delicious, heart-healthy dishes, and a Memorial Hermann dietitian will offer advice on heart-healthy cooking, the facts about fat and cholesterol, and how to maintain a healthy diet.

The old adage still rings true – you are what you eat! Memorial Hermann Nutrition Consultants are dedicated to providing nutrition education to individuals of all ages. Our registered, licensed dietitians can help you establish nutrition goals to meet your health needs and fit into your lifestyle.
   

Health Highlights is a new magazine published by Memorial Hermann for the Houston area community, showcasing information about innovations in healthcare related to heart and vascular services, orthopedics, neuroscience, and oncology services, as well as lifestyle, nutrition, and fitness topics. Learn about the latest and most effective technologies and treatments offered at Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital, Memorial Hermann Memorial City, Memorial Hermann Southeast, Memorial Hermann Southwest and Memorial Hermann The Woodlands.

Call 713-222-CARE (2273) to begin receiving Health Highlights in your mailbox.

Memorial Hermann’s free membership program helps you manage your health and wellness by keeping you informed and offering numerous benefits, including Partners in Health, a quarterly magazine loaded with articles on health and wellness. You can also receive e-Partners in Health, a monthly e-mail newsletter packed with great health and wellness information, links, updates and more.