Cardiac Rehabilitation & Wellness
Recovering from a heart attack, heart surgery or another cardiac event can feel overwhelming. Our Cardiac Rehabilitation & Wellness program at Imperial Cardiac Center gives you a medically supervised path back to an active life, combining exercise, heart-healthy eating and stress management.
If you are living with heart disease or have recently had a cardiac procedure, our team will help you build new habits and give you the tools to keep them long after the program ends. Cardiac rehab is part of the complete heart care we offer to the Imperial Valley community, close to home.
What Our Program Includes
Our program is built on the three pillars of the Pritikin approach to heart health: regular exercise, heart-healthy nutrition and a healthy mindset.
Regular exercise
Monitored exercise sessions with a plan tailored to your condition, fitness level and goals, adjusted as you get stronger.
Heart-healthy nutrition
Practical guidance from registered dietitians on what to eat, how to shop and how to cook for your heart.
Healthy mindset
Tools to manage stress, stay motivated and cope with the emotional side of living with heart disease.
Every patient starts with a one-on-one medical evaluation so we understand your needs and any limitations. From there, your program may include:
- Supervised exercise with heart rhythm and blood pressure monitoring
- A personalized exercise plan you can continue at home
- Nutrition counseling and cooking tips
- Education on medications and risk factors
- Help managing blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and weight
- Support to quit smoking
- Stress management and emotional support
- Progress reports shared with your cardiologist
Depending on your insurance plan or Medicare coverage, you may be eligible for 36 or 72 rehabilitation sessions.
Patients We Serve
Cardiac rehab can help you if you have had one or more of the following:
- Heart attack
- Coronary artery bypass surgery
- Stable angina (chest pain)
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- Coronary angioplasty or stenting
- Congestive heart failure
- Peripheral arterial disease (supervised exercise therapy)
Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation
Research shows that people who complete cardiac rehab are less likely to be hospitalized again and more likely to live longer. Patients also tend to feel stronger, sleep better and feel more confident about being active again.
- Improved strength, stamina and ability to do daily activities
- Better control of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar
- Lower risk of future heart problems
- Less anxiety and depression after a cardiac event
- A support network of people going through the same experience
Expert Care Team
Your care is guided by a team of cardiologists, exercise physiologists, nurses and registered dietitians who work together on your recovery plan.
Cardiologists
Vachaspathi Palakodeti, MD
David Torres-Barba, MD
Referrals & Getting Started
A physician referral is required to join cardiac rehab. If you have had a qualifying heart event or procedure, ask your cardiologist or primary care doctor to refer you, or contact us and we will help coordinate with your doctor.
Cardiac Rehab
516 W Aten Rd
Suite 2
Imperial, CA 92251
Ph (760) 355-8300
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