Participants typically spend six to 12 weeks in cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation, attending three sessions per week. The length of your program depends on your goals, the progress of your recovery and or your physician's recommendation.
During the cardiac rehabilitation activity sessions, the program team will monitor you with an electrocardiograph (ECG) telemetry system that informs them of how you and your heart are reacting and adapting to activity. You'll also learn how to take your pulse, determine your exercise intensity and exercise at a level that allows you to receive maximum benefits.
For pulmonary rehabilitation activity sessions, the team monitors any shortness of breath you experience while exercising. They use a small, noninvasive fingertip pulse oximeter to observe your blood's oxygen level and monitor your heart rate. If you rely on oxygen therapy, you'll have ready access to oxygen should you need it. Like cardiac rehabilitation, you'll also learn to regulate your exercise intensity to support and improve your health.
During SET for PAD sessions, patients are encouraged to complete three exercise sessions per week supervised by an interdisciplinary team of nurses, exercise physiologist and dietitian. Patients are encouraged to reach a pain tolerance level and improve upon it at each session to build strength and exercise tolerance. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid recognize this therapy when referred by a physician, and most insurance plans cover the treatment with pre-authorization.