Cardiovascular Rehabilitation

Appointments & Information

Pomona 909.865.9810
La Verne 909.392.6531

Studies of heart attack survivors have shown participation in a cardiovascular rehab program can reduce the chances of having a second heart attack within the next year by 17 percent … and by two years after the heart attack, decrease the mortality rate by nearly 50 percent. PVHMC is dedicated not only to improving the quality of life and overall survival of those with coronary diseases, but also to the prevention of heart disease through proactive management of conditions that can lead to cardiac illness.

Inpatient Cardiac Rehab at PVHMC

Cardiac rehabilitation begins while the patient is in the hospital recovering from a heart attack, bypass surgery or other cardiac event. Patients report improvements in their strength, endurance, and independence as physical therapists progress with sitting, walking, and basic arm and leg exercises. This progressive course of activity provides our patients the confidence necessary to achieve success in their Cardiac Home Exercise Program and allows for a comfortable transition to outpatient rehabilitation in the Charles M. Magistro Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center. For more information about inpatient cardiac recovery and rehabilitation visit Stead Heart & Vascular Center.

Click the images below for our Cardiac Home Exercise Program Booklet in English and Spanish.

Outpatient Cardiovascular Rehab at PVHMC

Nitanth R. Vangala, MD, Medical Director

Upon discharge from the hospital following a cardiac event, the American Heart Association recommends patients begin a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation program. Prescribed by their physician and provided in a safe and supervised environment, the goal is to improve quality of life by way of exercise, medication management and stress reduction.

Multidisciplinary Team of Experts

For those with coronary artery disease, prescribing a lifestyle change involving regular exercise can be a vital part of treatment. Prior to initiating care, patients are screened for other health issues that could impact their recovery. Our specialized team of clinical exercise physiologists and physical therapy staff includes an APTA board-certified Cardiac and Pulmonary Physical Therapist. These expert clinicians provide a multidisciplinary team approach, offering patients a more comprehensive assessment and evaluation. Working with the patient’s physician, we design an individually tailored exercise plan promoting increased cardiovascular fitness.

Supervised Programs

Cardiovascular Rehabilitation includes several specialized services. Patients are monitored continuously as they slowly move through progressively more challenging exercise protocols.

All exercise sessions are provided in our medically supervised cardiovascular gym equipped with state-of-the-art exercise equipment including treadmills, exercise bikes, weight machines, and resistance machines.

Covered by most insurance plans, enrollment in our programs requires a signed order/prescription from a physician.

Cardiac Rehab Program

Promotes cardiovascular efficiency
Speeds recovery
Improves strength and physical activity tolerance
Helps prevent prolonged disability
Reduces re-admissions to the hospital

Common Diagnoses and Procedures Benefitting from Cardiac Rehab:

Acute myocardial infarction (MI)
Coronary bypass surgery
Coronary stenting
Heart failure
Heart transplant
Heart valve repair or replacement
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
Stable angina pectoris

Cardiac Rehab includes:

12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and continuous telemetry monitoring
Blood pressure checks
Fasting lipid panel, blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c
6-minute walk test
Most insurances cover multiple sessions of supervised exercise, 1–3 days per week
Risk reduction education
Monday-Saturday appointments

Click on our video, Cardiac Rehab: The Key to a Heart Healthy Future, to learn more about the program, hear from participants, and see it in action.

“PAD Rehab” (SET) Program

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a chronic circulatory condition affecting approximately 18 million US citizens, causing leg pain, aching, and cramping when walking. With PAD, plaque build-up in the arteries reduces blood flow to the muscles in the legs. This causes discomfort when walking, a symptom called “claudication.” Leg pain typically worsens the longer you walk and gradually goes away when you rest.

Research has shown patients participating in supervised exercise therapy (SET) were able to improve walking tolerance and distance more than those completing a non-supervised home exercise program, or just walking on their own.

SET programs are supported by the American Heart Association as a first line, noninvasive, low risk therapy for PAD—and the good news is they are covered by Medicare!

Benefits of PAD Rehab:

Reduces PAD symptoms and leg pain
Prevents further progression of the disease
Increases walking tolerance and distance
Improves muscle strength
Reduces risk of heart attack or stroke
Weight loss

PAD Rehab includes:

Supervised exercise therapy (SET) with guided instruction
Exercise plan, alternating activity and rest periods
Treadmill walking
Resistance training
Risk factor education
Most insurances cover multiple sessions of supervised exercise, 1–3 days per week
Monday-Saturday appointments

Outpatient EECP Program

The Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) program is available for those who continue experiencing pain associated with angina pectoris in spite of prior treatment.

Benefits of EECP:

Reduction of angina pain
Decreased need for medication
Increased tolerance for exercise and leisure activities
Improved quality of life

EECP includes:

Noninvasive procedure carrying little or no risk performed in the Stead Heart& Vascular Center
External cuffs on legs and buttocks expand and deflate to increase blood and oxygen returning to the heart
35 one-hour sessions
Typically performed 5 days per week (Monday - Friday) for 7 weeks

For more information about the Outpatient EECP Program visit the Stead Heart & Vascular Center.

Post-COVID-19 Recovery Program

For patients suffering from cardio-pulmonary symptoms related to long-COVID
A diagnosis of long-COVID is required
For more information about this program, click here.

Independent Cardiovascular-Pulmonary Wellness Program

What do you do after formal rehab ends?

Our “Exercise for Life” Program allows participants to extend the benefits of their rehab program independently, but still exercise in a medically supervised environment. Structured to assist those in need of managing heart, vascular, lung, and other chronic conditions, this program includes:

Cardiac Risk Stratification Assessment
Monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate and related risk factors as needed
Education and personal counseling on risk reduction
Individualized exercise program designed by medically trained exercise physiologists and physical therapists
Supervised by our Physical Therapy and Rehab staff
Exercise performed in our Rehabilitation Services gym
Monday-Saturday appointments are available

Wellness Program Cost Options:

$30–4 sessions | $300–6 months
$60–8 sessions | $600–12 months

Wellness Program Enrollment

Register through PVHMC Rehabilitation Services by calling 909.865.9810.
Participation requires your physician to sign a consent to participate Wellness Enrollment form. Click here to download the form.

For more information about PVHMC’s Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Programs, click here to download our Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation brochure.

For more information about Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center's Rehabilitation Services, please call 909.865.9810. For maps to all of our rehabilitation facilities click here.

Leading The Way In Rehabilitative Healthcare Since 1954