Cardiac rehabilitation helps patients with heart issues return to where they physically have to be to continue with their activities of daily living. It also teaches them a hearthealthy lifestyle and how to change cardiac risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and others. During a patient’s cardiac rehab they learn how to exercise, eat heart-healthy food and manage stress. Patients have their medications tracked, blood pressure taken constantly and their heart rate and rhythm continually monitored during exercise. Each exercise session combines cardiovascular conditioning, strength training and flexibility exercises. Education is a valuable component of the program as well with over 20 topics covered during the program. Cardiac rehab can last six to 12 weeks depending on your individual need. Patients attend rehab three times a week for about two hours. When they graduate they are given a one-month membership at the MedCentral Health & Fitness Center.  The goal is to provide each patient with the knowledge and motivation to be their own coach for the rest of their lives. While there is no guarantee, numerous studies document the physiological and psychological value of cardiac rehab, as well as the role in preventing future heart events.