Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation FAQ

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What are the main components of the Cardiac & Pulmonary Wellness Center programs?

• Medical assessment. Your care team will personalize the program to create a safe, effective program that meets your health needs.
• Exercise. You'll participate in medically supervised exercise and will learn techniques that will allow you to continue exercising after you complete the program.
• Education. You'll gain a better understanding about your condition and how lifestyle habits can affect your health. You'll learn in both one-on-one sessions with your care team members, as well as in group or class settings.
• Support. Managing a heart or lung condition can be emotionally difficult, so you'll gain encouragement from your care team, other program participants and support groups. You’ll learn healthy ways to cope with depression or anxiety about your condition.

In addition to the classes available through the Cardiac Risk Reduction Lecture Series, do you offer other classes or support groups?

Yes. Visit our classes and events for more information about upcoming classes — as well as a support group for women with heart disease — or call the Cardiac & Pulmonary Wellness Center at 650-940-7130.

We offer:

• Stress reduction classes – Including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Heart Matters™ (a risk prevention and stress-management program) and Laughter Yoga, to promote relaxation.
• Free wellness services – Including blood pressure screenings and consultations with a dietitian at our Health Library & Resource Center.

Do you offer classes to help me quit smoking?

We offer individual smoking-cessation program:

• Staying Free Smoking Cessation Program – Individual counseling with a specially trained nurse counselor. Counseling focuses on identifying your triggers and developing strategies to respond with new behaviors.

To participate call 650-988-8225 for more information.

Do you offer classes and support groups for people with lung disease?

Classes include:

• Asthma Education - Manage Your Asthma – Teaches you how to control symptoms, recognize triggers, and develop an action plan for asthma attacks.
• Laughter Yoga – Combines laughter and gentle exercise to stimulate deep breathing and strengthen the diaphragm and abdominal muscles.

Support groups include:

• Better Breathers Club & Support Group.
• Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) and Bronchiectasis Support Group.

For more information, visit our classes and support group listing or call the Cardiac & Pulmonary Wellness Center at 650-940-7130.

After I've completed a cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation program, can I continue the exercise portion of the program?

Once you’ve completed rehabilitation at the Cardiac & Pulmonary Wellness Center, there’s a special program to help you transition to exercising on your own. Through a partnership between El Camino Health and the El Camino YMCA, the Health Transitions Program offers personalized attention and resources to help you continue to improve your health and fitness once you’ve completed your rehabilitation.

What does the Health Transitions Program offer?

An El Camino YMCA staff member will meet with you to tell you more about the program, which includes:

• Complimentary 60-day membership (for new El Camino YMCA members only). If you decide to continue exercising at the YMCA after 60 days, they'll waive your joining fee when you become a club member. Spouses, partners and caregivers are welcome to join the program as well.
• Make an appointment with a Wellness Coach to be set up with an individualized program to meet your needs.
• Three consultations with a personal wellness coach, who'll help you make regular exercise a habit.
• The exercise floor is staffed with Wellness Coaches for your assistance.
• Group exercise and water fitness classes appropriate for your fitness level.
• Ongoing assistance from specially trained YMCA Wellness Center staff.
• Access to specialized exercise equipment with heart rate monitors.
• Electronic records of your cardio and strength training progress to share with your doctors.
• You must attend a 1-hour Orientation at El Camino YMCA, 2400 Grant Road, Mountain View, CA 94040.

For more information about the Health Transitions Program, call 650-429-1324.