Overview
Cardiac Rehabilitation, as defined by WHO in 1964, is "the sum of activities required to ensure cardiac patients the best possible physical, mental and social conditions so that they may, by their own efforts, resume and maintain as normal a place as possible in the community."
A cardiac rehabilitation programme aims to do just that, to guide and support our cardiac patients along their road to recovery so that they may add more years to their life and life to years.
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What is this programme about?
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As risk factor and lifestyle modifications are important to successful cardiac rehabilitation, this programme offers medically supervised exercise programme, education and lifestyle modification aimed at providing patients with the information, motivation and support they need to adopt and maintain heart-healthy habits.
The ultimate goals of the programme are to limit the physiological effects of cardiac illness and to improve overall cardiovascular fitness and health.
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Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme is a comprehensive programme, which consists of 3 components - Education, Counseling and Prescribed Exercise Training, and 4 phases.
The 3 components of Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme
Education
We provide information on the disease condition, treatment modalities, importance of risk factor modification and home advice. We conduct individual teaching as well as group teaching.
Counseling
We provide constant support and advice to patients and their spouses or family members. Most patients and their family are struck with many uncertainties eg. fear of having another heart event, coping with lifestyles changes, worrying about hospital expenses or future follow-up cost. Knowing that there is a team that will be present to guide them through their road to recovery has proven to be beneficial and effective.
Prescribed exercise training
Each patient will be exercised on intensity based on his or her individualised calculated target heart rate in a progressive manner. Patients are also taught how to exercise safely. Maintaining a lifelong exercise routine is constantly being reinforced.
Heart Rehab gym at the NUHCS
The 4 Phases of Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme
| Phases |
Duration |
Component(s) |
| Phase 1 (Inpatient) |
2 to 5 days |
- Physiotherapy
- Dietary Counseling
- Education and Counseling
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| Phase 2 (Outpatient) |
12 - 18 sessions (over a duration of 4 to 6 weeks) |
Exercise Rehabilitation
Educational talks
Healthy Eating- Exercise
Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Modification
- Medication
- Stress Management
- Energy Conservation
- Counseling
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| Phase 3 (Maintenance) |
6 - 12 session (over a duration of 6 to 8 weeks) |
- Exercise Rehabilitation
- Counseling
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| Phase 4 (Maintenance) |
Lifelong |
Exercise (community-based)
Please refer to "Cardiac Rehabilitation Support Group" below.
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Who will benefit from this programme?
You will benefit from this programme if you have had one of the following:
- A heart attack
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) - Ballooning / Stenting
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
- Valve surgery
Treatment for other heart conditions e.g. AICD/PPM implant, CCF
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How do I join this programme?
A referral from your physician is required to participate in the programme. You will need to consult your cardiologist before starting this programme.
For more information, please contact the cardiac rehabilitation nurses:
- Lai Shuet Ming - 67725563
- Nancy Ooi Lean See / Ng Hsuen Nin - 67722497
- Ong Mui Cheu - 67722436
Who are the members of the cardiac rehabilitation team?
They are a team of professionals from different disciplines, including cardiologist, physiotherapist, cardiac rehab nurses, pharmacist, dietitian, occupational therapist and social worker.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Support Group
After phase 3, all cardiac rehabilitation participants should continue to join the lifelong maintenance exercise programme at the community-based cardiac centres or cardiac support groups
During Phase 4:
Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme in Singapore
Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF)
The SHF Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre is the only institution in Singapore, which runs a structured community-based cardiac rehabilitation programme. The Centre offers a wide range of facilities, equipment and multidisciplinary healthcare expertise to assist patients with heart problems, providing them with support for life-long maintenance of their exercise habits and risk factor modification.
For more information, please visit the website at: http://www.myheart.org.sg/
SHF (Singapore Heart Foundation) Heart Support Group
The Heart Support Group of the SHF Heart Wellness Centre provides invaluable peer support to heart patients and their families adjusting to life after a heart attack and motivation to maintain healthier lifestyles. It also acts as a platform for its members to mingle by regularly organising local and overseas outings (e.g. farm trips, nature walks) for its members and their families.
| Contact: |
SHF-Isetan Foundation Heart Wellness Centre |
| Tel: |
6354 9348 / 9370 |
| Email: |
rehab@heart.org.sg |
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Programmes in Singapore
CPR courses for the general public are available at the following institutions:
| Alexandra Hospital, Tel: |
(65) 6472 2000 |
| Changi General Hospital, Tel: |
(65) 6850 1550 |
| National Heart Centre, Tel: |
(65) 6436 7800 |
| Singapore General Hospital, Tel: |
(65) 6326 6883 / 6884 |
| Singapore Medical Association, Tel: |
(65) 6223 1264 |
| Singapore Red Cross Society, Tel: |
(65) 6336 0269 |
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