The Heart Center at Torresdale

                        Helping You on the Road to Heart Health



Cardiac rehabilitation is an essential and indispensable part of heart care today. Frankford Hospitals offer a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program that combines clinical care, cardiac conditioning, counseling in lifestyle adjustments, and education on heart health. And, this care is provided directly onsite at our new heart center.

The program is designed to help patients with heart disease recover promptly – but also at the right pace – and return to full, productive lives. Rehabilitation is an essential component of care for anyone who has undergone medical, interventional, or surgical heart care. Cardiac rehabilitation helps you to a quicker, more complete recovery.

You can benefit from cardiac rehabilitation if you:

• have stable angina;
• have had a heart attack;
• have had heart angioplasty;
• have had heart surgery;
• or have heart failure.

To get you and your heart healthy, Frankford’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program has two major components:

• exercise training. Together with your physician, our staff of specially trained cardiac rehabilitation specialists help you learn how to exercise safely, strengthen your muscles, and improve your stamina. The staff works with you to build an individualized, low-intensity, aerobic exercise plan, using various types of equipment including a treadmill, stationary bike, and free weights. During your exercise sessions, our experienced staff monitors your heart rhythm and blood pressure. Activity starts at low levels and gradually increases in intensity and duration. We monitor your progress and explain any changes in your program.

• and education, counseling, and support. In addition to formulating your individual exercise program, our staff assists you in learning about your heart problem, including its causes and treatments. You will learn how to better manage your condition. The cardiac rehabilitation team will also help you learn how to cope with stress and to adjust to a new lifestyle. You will have the opportunity to learn specific skills and techniques to enable you to stop unhealthy behaviors like smoking and replace them with healthy ones, including eating a well-balanced, heart-healthy diet.

Let us help you
meet your goals


The goals of cardiac rehabilitation are different for each patient. In helping set your personal goals, your healthcare team will look at your general health, your personal heart problem, your risks for future heart problems, your heart doctor’s recommendations, and, of course, your own preferences.

Cardiac rehabilitation can reduce your symptoms and your chances of having more heart problems. And it has many other benefits:

• Exercise tones your muscles and improves your spirits and energy level. It helps both your heart and your body get stronger and work better. Exercise also can get you back to work and other activities faster.
• A healthier diet can lower blood cholesterol, control weight, and help prevent, reduce or limit high blood pressure and other problems such as diabetes. Plus, you will feel better and have more energy.
• Cardiac rehabilitation emphasizes the importance of starting a smoking cessation program. Kicking the habit means less risk of lung cancer, emphysema, and bronchitis, as well as less risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart and blood vessel problems. It means more energy, and it means better health for your loved ones who may be exposed to second-hand smoke.
• You learn that you can manage stress through a number of stress-reduction and relaxation techniques. You will feel better and improve your heart health.

Cardiac rehab helps you to reduce your chances of future cardiac events and of having your heart condition become worse. In fact, combined with other care, it can lead to a much healthier heart.

Frankford Hospitals also offer The Club of Hearts, a support group for cardiac patients that meets on the third Thursday of each month. For more information on times and locations, please call 215-612-5360.

Admission Criteria: Participants for cardiac rehabilitation should be clinically stable as determined by referring physician, and have physician diagnosis of heart disease and a physician referral. An exercise stress test is required prior to beginning the program.

Cost: Reimbursement amounts for cardiac rehabilitation depend upon your insurance policy. Medicare and most major insurance companies reimburse much of the program. Please check with your insurance carrier since out-of-pocket costs for the program vary depending upon your individual insurance coverage.