Home / Knowledge Hub / TakeHeart Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

TakeHeart Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

 (203) 789-3325   TakeHeart is a cardiac rehabilitation program designed to help people to recover from heart attacks and other cardiac episodes. It will help you make lifestyle changes to become healthier. The program includes supervised exercise sessions, individual and group education. You’ll learn about your heart disease, stress management, food choices and safe exercise options. Program length varies from four to 12 weeks, depending on your individual needs. A referral from your physician is necessary.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Education, Exercise, Counseling,

Behavior Change

Cardiac rehabilitation is a professional service designed not just for people debilitated or recovering from heart disease. It is also for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, which is achieved through comprehensive rehabilitation: monitored exercise, education, professional counseling and behavioral change. Studies show that participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program such as TakeHeart will improve your health and may increase your chances of living a longer life.

 Payment and Insurance Coverage

Many insurance companies cover all, or part, of the cost of cardiac rehabilitation services as part of the treatment for heart attack, angina, angioplasty, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, coronary bypass surgery, valve repair or replacement. Contact us at (203) 789-3325 if you have questions about your specific coverage.

Scholarships are available for eligible patients. Administrated through the Saint Raphael Foundation, The Donald S. Dock, M.D., Memorial TakeHeart Fund provides financial scholarships to patients without the financial resources (personal or insurance) needed to cover program costs. It also supports the program’s essential equipment and material needs. For fund information and applications, contact TakeHeart at (203) 789-3325 in New Haven. For donation information, contact the Saint Raphael Foundation at (203) 789-3242.

Healthy Lifestyle Education Series

Education about heart disease, and making healthful lifestyle choices, are considered an essential component of cardiac rehabilitation. Taught by various Saint Raphael professionals, the Healthy Lifestyle Education Series offers individual counseling when appropriate and according to the patients’ needs and goals. Educational topics include:

  • Diet
  • Medication
  • Exercise
  • Risk factors
  • Heart function
  • Stress management

Support Groups

Support groups provide safe places for people living with heart disease and their family members to meet, share information and develop friendships. Education and counseling are provided so that the patient and their loved ones can understand and manage the disease process and modify risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, high blood cholesterol, physical inactivity, obesity and diabetes. Social interactions lend important emotional support to all involved with the person living with heart disease.

More TakeHeart Benefits

 

TakeHeart volunteers visit patients on Saint Raphael’s cardiac units and share their personal stories of rehabilitation and recovery from cardiac events. Please contact us at (203) 789-3325 if you would like to speak with one of our volunteers.

The All Heart Club of Greater New Haven, an educational support group, sponsors many events throughout the year. If you need:

  • Up-to-date information on heart disease
  • Motivation to strive for a healthy lifestyle
  • A supportive peer group

The All Heart Club has what you need. It provides ongoing educational support to people with heart problems and their spouses or families. It plans a variety of activities, including social events and speakers on topics of interest. The club meets on the second Thursday of most months, 6 to 8 p.m. at Saint Raphael’s.

 

Membership is open to anyone; there is a nominal membership fee. To join or for more information, please contact Phyllis DiCello at (888) 621-9949.