Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital have expanded their cardiac rehab class offerings, making it easier for patients to take care of their heart health.

In addition to increasing the number of traditional or “Phase II” cardiac rehab classes offered at each hospital from 18 to 24, the hospitals launched a new self-directed cardiac rehab program, called Phase III, in early September.

“We decided to add additional class options to better meet the needs of our communities,” said Joel Paredes, manager of Cardiopulmonary Rehab at Pen Bay and Waldo, in a news release. “We want to make it as convenient as possible for patients to make and maintain their progress.”

According to Paredes, cardiac rehab is based on the idea that exercise is a form of medicine. Patients are referred to the program after experiencing a cardiac event, such as a heart attack. They may begin with Phase I, which happens in the hospital immediately after the event, or they may start with Phase II after they’ve been discharged from the hospital.

In Phase II, patients attend up to two class sessions in the cardiac rehab gym per day, with a maximum of four sessions per week. Supported by a team of nurses, they work toward a goal of getting back to their pre-cardiac event level of physical fitness, or better yet, increasing their level of fitness. Each session includes about 45 minutes of exercise.

“We incorporate exercise, nutrition, setting and achieving goals, sleep health—it’s a very holistic approach,” said Paredes.

Until now, patients “graduated” from Cardiac Rehab after they successfully increased their tolerance to physical activity, which Paredes said is typically after 36 sessions. With the introduction of the new Phase III program, those patients now have the option of continuing to utilize the cardiac rehab gym on their own.

The cost for the Phase III program is $45 per month and a referral is required.

“It’s a great option for patients who are ready to continue on their own but may feel more comfortable exercising under supervision,” said Paredes. “Interested patients should speak with their cardiologist or primary care provider for more information.”

For more information, call Pen Bay Cardiac Rehab at 301-8989 or Waldo Cardiac Rehab at 505-4745.

Pen Bay Medical Center

Pen Bay Medical Center is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of nine local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit pbmc.org.

Waldo County General Hospital

Waldo County General Hospital is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of eight local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit wcgh.org.