Cardiac Rehabilitation Services & Treatments

If you have a history of cardiovascular disease, cardiac rehabilitation can help you make lifestyle changes that may improve your health and reduce the risk of future problems. After a heart attack or heart surgery, your risk of death is reduced by approximately 25% if you participate in our program.

Find out more about our services:

• Conditions and consultations
• Diagnosis and treatment goals
• Cardiac Rehabilitation specialists
• Referrals
• FAQ
• Cardiac Rehabilitation locations near you

Conditions and consultations

Our program is designed to help you maintain a healthier heart through supervised exercise sessions and health education. We can help if you have one of these heart issues:

• Angioplasty and stents
• Cardiomyopathy
• Certain congenital heart diseases
• Chest pain (angina)
• Coronary artery bypass surgery
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Heart or lung transplant
• Heart valve repair or replacement
• Peripheral artery disease
• Pulmonary hypertension

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Diagnosis and treatments

When you receive a diagnosis that requires cardiac rehabilitation, our team develops treatment goals with your specific needs in mind.

Treatment goals can include:

• Change your heart risk factors, such as high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol
• Decrease your risk of coronary artery disease and other heart conditions
• Gain confidence and strength
• Improve cardiovascular health and fitness.
• Learn heart-healthy behaviors, such as regular exercise and a heart-healthy diet
• Learn to cope with heart disease and manage stress
• Manage your weight
• Return to the previous level of activity and work
• Stop smoking

There are several programs available through Cardiac Rehabilitation. Most insurance, health maintenance organizations and government reimbursement plans will cover 80% of program costs; Phase 3 is self-pay. Direct questions to your provider.

For all programs, you should wear comfortable clothing, take medications as prescribed and avoid heavy meals before exercise.

• Phase 2 program: This program helps patients improve heart health through a structured program that includes assessment, individualized exercise, education, counseling, and management of key risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking. Patients attend supervised sessions 1–3 times per week, using equipment such as treadmills, bikes and light weights, while also learning about heart disease prevention and recovery. Enrollment requires a physician referral.
• Phase 3 program: This program helps patients maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle through continued supervised and self-directed exercise, along with ongoing education. Participants attend sessions three times per week using equipment like treadmills, bikes and weights, typically for up to three months. The program is designed for Phase 2 graduates or those referred by a physician.
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD) rehabilitation. This program in La Crosse helps patients with leg pain from poor circulation improve blood flow, walking ability and overall cardiovascular health. The program includes assessment, supervised treadmill-based walking exercise, education, counseling, and management of risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and smoking. Patients attend 1–3 sessions per week, focusing on reducing pain and increasing walking distance. Enrollment requires a physician referral.
• Exercise Is Medicine. This post–cardiac rehabilitation program in Mankato helps patients maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle through supervised and self-directed exercise and education. Participants attend 1–3 sessions per week using equipment like treadmills, bikes, and weights, typically for up to three months. The program is designed for Phase 2 graduates or those referred by a physician.
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation. This program helps patients improve lung health through supervised exercise and education on managing pulmonary disease. Participants attend 1–2 sessions per week using equipment like treadmills, bikes and weights, with programs tailored to individual needs. Enrollment requires a physician referral.

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Cardiac Rehabilitation specialists

Our care team includes heart doctors (cardiologists), exercise physiologists and educators. They supervise your exercise and education program to help you recover from a heart event and reduce the risk of new problems.

Additional care and therapies may be provided by:

• Diabetes Education
• Nutrition
• Pharmacy
• Physical Therapy
• Primary Care
• Psychiatry & Psychology
• Respiratory Therapy

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Referrals

Medicare and personal insurance may cover all or part of the cost. We recommend that you find out what will be covered by your plan. Call the appointment number of your preferred cardiac rehabilitation location to learn more.

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FAQ

What can I expect from cardiac rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation is a structured program (typically about three months) where a team of health professionals helps you safely improve your heart health through personalized care.

• Assessment and monitoring: You’ll receive an initial evaluation and ongoing check-ins to track progress and tailor your plan.
• Exercise: Guided, low-impact aerobic and strength training exercises are introduced at a safe pace to improve fitness.
• Education: You’ll learn how to manage heart health through diet, exercise, medications and risk factor control, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking.
• Support: Emotional support and counseling are available to help with stress, anxiety, or depression and support your return to daily activities.

After completing the program, you’ll be expected to continue these healthy habits independently to maintain long-term heart health.

What should I bring for my first appointment?

For your first appointment, bring your current prescription information or medical records from non-Mayo Clinic Health System facilities. Complete a medical records release form (PDF) to authorize the transfer of health records from another healthcare facility to us. Visit our Medical Record Forms page for this form and other forms in multiple languages.

What are my payment options, and do you offer financial assistance?

Visit the billing page of your preferred location for information on insurance, billing and payments.

We serve patients in difficult financial circumstances and offer financial assistance to those who have an established need to receive medically necessary services. Learn more about financial assistance options.

Do you have an after-hours number in case of emergency?

Always call 911 in case of an emergency. For after-hours help with other issues, get virtual care 24/7 through the Primary Care On Demand app or review our convenient care options.

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Explore locations or providers near you for details on Cardiac Rehabilitation:

Not all treatments, tests and services are available at all Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Check with your preferred location in advance.