Cardiac Rehabilitation

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Service helps people to be well informed and self aware of their ongoing heart health.  We provide an inpatient service for all patients admitted to the Cardiology Program with a diagnosis of:

Acute Coronary Syndrome

• ST- Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)
• Non-ST-Elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
• Unstable Angina

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Service also reviews cardiac surgery inpatients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) during your admission.  Patients in this specialty group are considered for:

• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts (CABG)
• Valvular Heart Disease

We additionally provide resources and education to point of care staff caring for patients in cardiology units with Coronary Artery Disease on risk factor modification.  These patients may have a diagnosis of:

• Angina
• Chest Pain for Investigation (multiple risk factors)

Our services

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Service is a small team of specialised cardiac nurses.  We provide the first phase of cardiac rehabilitation with information and support to patients after any of the above cardiac events.  As part of our service we assist patients to:

• Understand the nature of their heart condition
• Make healthy heart lifestyle changes
• Goal setting to reduce modifiable risk factors
• Identifying and managing chest pain
• Provide referrals to access phase 2 community cardiac rehabilitation

See Heart Foundation Guidelines for more information about risk factor modifications to reduce heart related events.  The Cardiac Rehabilitation Service also provides resources My Heart My Life and videos to ensure all patients can understand the importance of managing chest pain effectively.

We also provide guidance on post procedure management, access site cares and lifestyle advice.  We review patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) including the following procedures:

• Angioplasty +/- stent
• Plain Old Balloon Angioplasty (POBA)
• Drug Cutting Balloon (DCB)
• Drug Eluting Balloon (DEB)
• Rotablation

How to access the service

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Service is a TPCH inpatient service only provided to patients in the Cardiology Program.  Your hospital medical and nursing team will make a referral to our service automatically on your behalf.   If you have had an Angiogram with a stent or Percutaneous Intervention (PCI) we will see you before your discharge from hospital.

For support people/family

Having a heart attack or chest pain related event can be an eye-opening experience for many people.  This can be especially difficult for family and support people to witness.  The Cardiac Rehabilitation program you will attend encourages family support during these times of change and we have resources available to support you on your road to recovery.