Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Piedmont Healthcare offers expansive rehabilitation facilities for heart, vascular and pulmonary patients. We provide a variety of equipment and expertise to help patients dealing with cardiovascular or lung disease. Using education and exercise, patients diagnosed with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases learn to cope with their limitations, gain strength and change their lifestyles. Through different phases of their rehabilitation, patients exercise on various cardiovascular and weightlifting equipment at levels appropriate for their conditions. A state-of-the-art cardiac monitoring system monitors and documents their progress, and reports are transferred to their electronic medical record daily. Trained professionals guide patients so they can exercise without concern for their health or safety.

The Augusta facility includes a gym with a walking track, cardiovascular and weight equipment, exam rooms and a classroom for education. Free-standing oxygen connections are located throughout the facility to free patients who require a constant oxygen source from using an oxygen tank.

The Augusta facility is the region's first program to receive national accreditation from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Cardiovascular Rehab

Cardiovascular Rehab is a comprehensive, phased program that offers education and rehabilitation to patients who recently suffered cardiac or vascular injury or who are at risk for heart disease. Using education and exercise, patients learn how to cope with limitations, change their lifestyles to reduce the risk of further cardiovascular problems and live as full and enjoyable a life as possible. A physician referral is required. 

• Phase I begins during hospitalization when nurses and dietitians meet with patients and families to help them understand cardiovascular disease and how to adjust lifestyles to overcome it.
   
• Phase II takes place in Cardiopulmonary Rehab, where the patient exercises on equipment such as a treadmill, stationary bicycle, rower or a Nustep monitored via telemetry. The program is conducted three days a week, and most insurance companies cover 36 sessions. Their progress is documented and sent to the physician at appropriate intervals.

Pulmonary Rehab and Smoking Cessation 

Nothing can be more frightening than not being able to catch your breath – to be so short of breath you fear the next breath may not come. Diseases such as COPD, bronchitis, emphysema, asthma and pulmonary fibrosis tremendously impact your lifestyle. Shortness of breath can begin to limit daily activities. Sometimes, just walking up stairs, showering or shopping become difficult tasks. You may need to learn to adjust your daily activities, from eating healthier and exercising routinely to learning how to breathe easier.

Through a supportive medical and allied health staff, Piedmont’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation team has developed programs to help you manage your lung disease through health promotion, education and follow-up support.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• Phase I: Adult inpatients are instructed after discharge in survival skills for lung disease, including anatomy, lung disease, medications and breathing techniques 
• Phase II: This program is specifically designed for people who suffer from a chronic respiratory disease such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and COPD and who are limited by their shortness of breath. The six-week program includes education and exercise classes to help patients achieve the highest level of independence and improve their sense of well-being.
   

Smoking Cessation Programs

Piedmont offers Smoking Cessation classes to help patients who are interested in quitting smoking. Our program helps with identifying triggers and patterns, establishing coping strategies and assessing the need for aids, such as the Nicotine Patch, Zyban or Chantix. Please check with your Piedmont provider on class availability.