Cardiac rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation is an educational program designed to promote positive health habits among individuals who have had or are at high risk for heart disease. Through exercise, education and encouragement, the goals of the cardiac rehabilitation program are to reduce each patient's risk for complications related to cardiovascular disease and to help each regain an optimal level of wellness.
Cardiac rehabilitation is held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Each session is supervised by a variety of healthcare professionals, and all exercise sessions are individually prescribed by the staff. A physician referral is required for admission. Once your physician has ordered cardiac rehabilitation, please call 989.453.4463 to arrange an appointment.
Cardiac testing
Cardiac tests are available through our Respiratory Therapy Services Department.
A stress test provides vital information on the blood flow through the arteries around the heart during exercise. We offer three different types of stress testing.
- A regular stress test is a basic test that looks for irregular heartbeats while you walk on a treadmill.
- A Cardiolite stress test is an in-depth diagnostic test that helps to identify blockages in arteries around the heart. It uses an IV, and a heart scan is done before and after you walk on the treadmill.
- A pharmacological (nonexercise) stress test is done when you are unable to walk on the treadmill or for other reasons determined by your physician. You will be given a medication that mimics the effects of exercise on your heart. In this test you also receive a scan of your heart before and after you have been given the medication.
An EKG is a test that checks the electrical activity of your heart. Your physician may order this test before you have a surgical procedure.
This test monitors the heart's electrical activity for 24 to 48 hours using a portable monitor you wear while carrying out your usual activities. You may be asked to wear a Holter monitor to see if you have a slow, fast or irregular (uneven) heartbeat. Your physician may use it to see how well your medicines are working to treat these problems.