Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness Center

The UCSF Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness Center offers a medically supervised treatment program for adult patients whose heart conditions are impacting their everyday activities. With exercise, education and emotional support, the program is designed to reduce symptoms, increase function and improve quality of life.

The program may benefit people with a history of:

• Chest pain
• Congestive heart failure
• Coronary angioplasty, with or without stent placement
• Heart attack
• Heart surgery, such as valve repair or coronary bypass
• Heart transplant

Our program combines exercise and education. Sessions take place two or three times per week for a maximum of 36 sessions, depending on your insurance plan.

To begin, a team member conducts a thorough medical evaluation to determine your needs and limitations. The team then creates a physical activity program tailored to these needs, factoring in your own personal goals.

During the exercise sessions, we monitor your heart rate, heart rhythm and blood pressure. During the education sessions, we cover wellness topics, such as heart-healthy living, stress reduction, and strategies for managing your heart condition and medications.

Wellness-focused cardiac rehabilitation has multiple benefits for patients, including:

• Reduced risk of future heart problem
• Reduced chest pain, fatigue and shortness of breath
• Increased stamina and strength
• Increased confidence and emotional well-being
• Improved quality of life

Most insurance programs, including Medicare, cover cardiac rehabilitation.