The Heart Wellness Center combines a unique program of exercise, education and risk factor reduction to help patients increase physical capabilities.
What to Expect at Cardiac or Pulmonary Rehab
We provide a healthy, positive atmosphere focusing on reducing heart risk factors increasing exercise tolerance and encouraging lifestyle changes. We will develop an exercise program specifically for you, and we will monitor you every minute you are exercising. We will teach you to use a wide variety of exercise equipment including treadmills, stationary bikes, Airdyne bikes, an arm ergometer and recumbent stepper (Nu-Step). In addition to using the equipment, your exercise sessions will always include a warm-up, stretching, light resistance exercises using dumbbells and elastic tubing, and a cool-down. You will also learn how to measure your exercise exertion using the RPE exertion scale.
What Else Should I Know?
The staff will be happy to verify your insurance for cardiac and pulmonary rehab coverage.
Directions to the Center
The Heart Wellness Center at DeKalb Medical is located in The Wellness Center on the ground floor of the 2665 Professional Building.
From Interstate 285, take 78 West (Exit 39A). Turn left at the third traffic light (Church St.). Turn left at the next light (North Decatur Road). Take a right into the hospital driveway.Take the first right off the driveway into the parking lot of the Professional Building. Enter the Wellness Center on the ground floor of the 2665 Professional Building or enter the building’s main lobby on the first floor and take the elevator down to ground level. A Customer Service Representative at the desk will direct you to the Heart Wellness Center.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac Rehabilitation is a multifaceted process that uses EKG monitored prescribed exercise, wellness education, and risk factor modifications for heart disease. Program participants are referred to the Cardiac Rehab Program by their physician after recovering from a heart attack, valve repair or replacement, bypass surgery, cardiomyopathy, angioplasty, or stable angina. Benefits of cardiac rehab include increasing the chance of avoiding disability, returning to work sooner and decreasing the risk of a recurrence of the heart problem that brought the patient to rehab. Some studies have also shown that cardiac rehab decreases risk of sudden death due to heart disease, and decreases risk of future heart attack. Patients who undergo cardiac rehab experience fewer episodes of reduced blood flow to the heart, known as cardiac ischemia.Other benefits of cardiac rehab can include improved physical functioning and strength, lowered blood pressure, lower levels of triglycerides and LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, and higher levels of HDL, or “good” cholesterol.
Collaboration with the Wellness Center
The Heart Wellness Center participants have the opportunity to continue exercising at DeKalb Medical’s Wellness Center upon graduation from Cardiac or Pulmonary Rehab. A graduation gift from the staff includes a gift certificate for membership to The Wellness Center.
The Wellness Center is a fitness facility offering lifestyle classes as well as:
• An indoor, 1/15 mile track.
• An indoor heated pool.
• Water and land aerobics classes.
• Free weights and Cybex weight machines.
• Personal trainers, health educators, a nutritionist, exercise specialists and other wellness specialists.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
This comprehensive program is designed for patients with chronic lung disease. The components of the program include assessment, patient training, exercise, psychosocial intervention and follow-up. Program goals include:
• Controlling symptoms and complications of respiratory impairment.
• Improving overall quality of life.
• Avoiding long-term convalescence.
• Promoting independence and ability to perform daily activities.
• Reducing the need for hospitalization and emergency room visits.
Patients are referred to the program by their physician and remain under their physician’s supervision throughout the rehabilitation and maintenance program.
Location(s)
• 2665 North Decatur Road, Suite 10, Decatur, GA 30033 404-501-7155