The Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program is a medically supervised program individually tailored and consisting of exercise and education to help patients feel better, increase strength, function, and endurance, as well as increased ability to care for ones ’self, resulting in improvement of overall quality of life.  Furthermore, it will decrease hospital admissions and visits to the emergency department.

This program will consist of a multidisciplinary health care team that provides patients with cardiac and/or pulmonary impairment who have limited physical conditions and ability to function well in their lives. One may hear it called either cardiac rehab or pulmonary rehab, or simply rehab. These programs are similar, as they have the same components.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Heart patients can access Phase II rehabilitation working with rehabilitation professionals specializing in cardiac rehab right here in Sparta. Cardiac rehab is an exercise and education program for heart patients at various levels of risk. Our program provides a multi-disciplinary approach and led by a team of specialists in nursing, cardiac nursing and exercise physiology.

Services and phases conveniently provided at Sparta Community Hospital include:

  • Phase II (following Phase I)
  • Stress testing
  • Holter monitor

Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation

The Cardiac Rehab offered by Sparta Community Hospital starts with Phase II. Phase II begins shortly after your discharge from the hospital and completion of Phase I. The main facets of Phase II are monitored exercise, education, and counseling. The exercise portion of Phase II is designed to strengthen your cardiac efficiency. Increases in your level of exercise will happen gradually and are based on your tolerance, monitored heart rate, and blood pressure. Registered nurses with advanced cardiac training will conduct the exercise sessions, which last approximately one hour, two or three times a week, for a total of 36 sessions, under the supervision of a Cardiologist.

Diagnosis Accepted

  • Stable Post MI Acute myocardial infarction within the past 12 months
  • Stable Angina Pectoris: Pre-entry stress test which is positive for exercise induced ischemia within 6 months of starting Cardiac Rehabilitation. Positive Stress tests also include perfusion studies with demonstrates ischemia, which is a local insufficiency of blood supply caused by vasoconstriction or local obstacles to the arterial blood flow.
  • Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
  • Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary stenting (PTCI)
  • Heart or Lung Transplant
  • Heart Valve repair/replacement
  • CHF with ejection fraction of 35% or less

Phase II exercise programs are EKG monitored and supervised and include heart healthy education.

General Information

Before engaging in Phase II exercise programs, please follow the following instructions:

  • Eating a light meal 2 hours before exercise is recommended
  • The equipment that you will use includes hand weights, exercise bikes, a step machine and treadmills
  • Please follow the directions of your physician for any medications you may be taking.
  • Dress in clothing that is appropriate for exercise such as comfortable shoes, loose pants or shorts, and a light shirt.
  • If you are a smoker, avoiding tobacco use for 2 hours before your session will ensure the best results.
  • No caffeine for 2 hours prior to exercise session

For scheduling: contact 618-443-2177,ext. 2185.

Cardiologists

The following cardiologists and mid-level practitioners are independent practitioners and are neither employees nor agents of Sparta Community Hospital.

Regina Chiu, MD, and Nancy Wiebke, NP
Specialty: Cardiologist
Day(s) of Clinic: Fridays at the Heart Health Clinic
Start Time: 9:00 a.m.
For Appointments: 443-2858 or Ext 2179

Thomas Cahill, MD
Specialty: Cardiologist
For Appointments: 443-2858 or Ext 2179

William Reilly, MD, (SCH Medical Director) and Craig Stewart, PA
Specialty: Cardiologist
Day(s) of Clinic: Mondays and Thursdays at the Heart Health Clinic
Start Time: 1:00 p.m.

Shiyam Satwani, MD
Specialty: Cardiologist
Day(s) of Clinic: Tuesdays at the Heart Health Clinic
Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
For Appointments: 443-2858 or Ext 2179

Michael Hushion, EP
Specialty: Electrophysiology
For Appointments: 443-2858 or Ext 2179

Lori Helmers, NP
Specialty: Cardiologist
Day(s) of Clinic: Wednesdays at the Heart Health Clinic
Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
For Appointments: 443-2858 or Ext 2179

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

It’s time to stop ignoring the symptoms and start breathing easier. Our pulmonary rehabilitation team can give you the tools you need to manage conditions including asthma, COPD, post-COVID lung damage, emphysema and other issues that impact breathing and lung function.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs Include:

  • Exercise and strength training
  • Diet and nutrition counseling
  • Health education training
  • Breathing techniques
  • Emotional support

Benefits of Program:

  • Increased ability to self care
  • Increased strength, function and endurance
  • Decreased hospital admissions and visits to ER
  • Increased quality of life
  • Reducing symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain and fatigue
  • Reducing emotional stress, depression and anxiety
  • Improving muscle tone, flexibility and range of motion
  • Increasing energy levels and spirits
  • Helping the body to become stronger and work better
  • Returning to work, school and other activities faster