Cardiac Rehabilitation at Rockcastle Regional is an outpatient based multidisciplinary comprehensive system of services which includes the elements of exercise coupled with education, counseling, and behavior change intervention. The program is designed to limit the physiological and psychological effects of cardiac illness, control cardiac symptoms, and enhance psychosocial and vocational status of the patient.

The core of the cardiac rehab program involves the exercise prescription by an ACLS certified physical therapist in conjunction with the cardiac nurse individualized to each patients abilities and needs. The exercise prescription consists of aerobic and strength training. During exercise training, each patient is closely monitored by a physical therapist. The progression of exercise is determined by the response of the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, and the patient's self report of fatigue following a specific exercise.

In addition to exercise training, the cardiac rehabilitation program also consists of patient education. Below is a list of topics that are covered while educating the patient.

• Smoking Cessation
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Risk Factor Reduction
• Weight Management
• Lipid Control
• Dietary counseling
• Stress management/mental health counseling
• Pharmacological management