Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation helps patients improve quality of life after various cardiac or lung treatments. It helps patients improve breathing, increase muscle strength and endurance, improve the ability to cope with daily activities, learn how to use medications and oxygen appropriately, and reduce hospitalizations. It also can teach how to reduce important risk factors. Typically, the first day of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation will include questionnaires on diet and quality of life and a physical activity to develop a physician-directed treatment plan, with patient input. Treatment plans include education to help manage and reduce risk factors, a one-on-one meeting with a dietitian, and an exercise prescription. Each exercise session should be medically supervised and last about an hour. Many treatment programs are 12-weeks in length, but may be longer or shorter depending on the patient's individual needs. Cardiac conditions appropriate for this rehabilitation include myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart bypass surgery, angina, angioplasty, stents, congestive heart failure, heart transplant, and valvular surgery. Pulmonary conditions include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis/interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, lung volume reduction surgery, and lung transplantation.

Why UAB

UAB Medicine Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services are physician-directed by our experienced cardiologists and pulmonologists and offer the latest evidence-based care for managing heart and lung diseases. Our treatment regimen goes far beyond simple exercise, as you will receive friendly, personalized attention from a team of health professionals that includes registered nurses, exercise physiologists, respiratory therapists, dieticians, pharmacists, psychologists, and health educators. For patients who’ve already completed our program, we offer a maintenance plan to sustain the recovery and lifestyle you’ve worked so hard to achieve.

Our programs are nationally certified through the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Associations (AACVPR) and backed by UAB’s sophisticated facilities and equipment. Speak to your doctor about a referral to our program. We also offer monthly support groups for both cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation patients, as well as regular smoking cessation classes. For more information on these support groups and classes, please call (205) 975-5400.

Images and Videos

After two heart attacks and ten stents, Rick Vinson made significant strides toward a heart healthy lifestyle with help from UAB’s CardioPulmonary Rehabilitation program.

Smartphone technology promotes pulmonary rehab at home.

PHYSICIANS

Vera A. Bittner, MD, MSPH

Mark T. Dransfield, MD

Related Conditions

This procedure may be used to treat or diagnose several different conditions. We have listed some of these conditions below for your convenience. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list and may vary depending on your specific diagnosis.

RELATED SERVICES

CLINICAL TRIALS

UAB is an active participant in research and clinical trials for Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation. We encourage you to speak to your physician about research and clinical trial options and browse the link below for more information on clinical trials at clinicaltrials.gov.

View Clinical Trials