Pulmonary Rehab

Pulmonary rehabilitation helps patients with lung disease to breathe easier and improve your quality of life for certain lung conditions such as emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary hypertension, and cystic fibrosis. It can also improve daily life for people who have scoliosis or other health problems that limit lung function.

Pulmonary Rehab Care at San Tan Cardiovascular Center

San Tan Cardiovascular Center, in conjunction with its cardiac rehabilitation program, offers a pulmonary rehabilitation service designed for patients with chronic lung disease.

The Pulmonary Rehab program is a physician supervised exercise program lasting three months with patients engaging in one hour sessions, three times a week.

Your one hour in rehab will focus primarily on exercise training designed to strengthen your muscle groups and increase your stamina. You will practice and perform specific breathing techniques such as pursed lip, yoga breathing. Techniques to clear out secretions are also involved in your training. Educational sessions are also included once a week regarding the various conditions that may affect your living with chronic lung disease including psychosocial and nutritional counselling.

Most insurances cover this program; however, you may have a copay. Please check with your insurance carrier.

How do I get started?

Before enrolling in the Pulmonary Rehab program we will need a referral from your primary care physician. You will then receive an evaluation from a team of physicians, nurse practitioners, and exercise specialists.

You will participate in testing which may include:

• Exercise stress test to measure your oxygen level blood pressure heart rate and rhythm while you exercise.
• Pulmonary function test.
• Six minute walk to measure how much you can walk in 6 minutes.

The results of your tests are assessed with a clinical exam by one of our providers and we will design an exercise and education plan designed specifically for you.

Long term management for Pulmonary conditions

San Tan Cardiovascular Center does offer long term maintenance programs to all our patient who have graduated from our Pulmonary Rehab program. These programs allow you to come and exercise in our facility with our specialists. Most importantly, you would have also acquired the necessary exercise and lifestyle practices that will enable you to stay focused on daily exercise regimens.

Follow up with your PCP and continued medical management are also recommended.