The Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention Center has been serving the population of Jerusalem and residents of Israel for over 25 years, making it the largest and one of the leading centers of its kind in Jerusalem and Israel. As part of the revolution in cardiac medicine, the Integrated Heart Center at Shaare Zedek Medical Center has brought together all cardiac health services under one roof, making the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center an integral part of the new Heart Center.
Under the leadership of Dr. Yaakov Klein, a senior cardiologist who heads the Cardiac Rehabilitation Division at the Cardiology Association, the center plays a vital and important role in cardiac rehabilitation and prevention as a complement to medical treatment and invasive interventions.
The cardiac rehabilitation program is designed for patients following a heart event and aims to complement the advanced treatments received during hospitalization. Cardiac rehabilitation is defined as a comprehensive professional intervention to improve the patient's function and restore them to full functionality, while achieving optimal balance of risk factors through adopting a healthy lifestyle and ensuring optimal medical therapy, including the achievement of goals according to professional indications. The main interventions for lifestyle change are physical activity, proper nutrition, and smoking cessation. There is solid scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation programs in reducing mortality, morbidity, readmissions, smoking cessation, blood pressure control, lipid and glucose control, and reducing anxiety and depression. The effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation remains significant even in the 21st century, despite intensive medical treatment and advanced interventions.
Based on these studies, the Ministry of Health recommends referring the majority of cardiac patients to cardiac rehabilitation programs, and participation in cardiac rehabilitation is included in the basket of health services for most heart diseases.
The cardiac rehabilitation program is intended for patients who meet certain criteria and is covered by the health basket without cost for the first 3 months, and then through supplementary insurance with self-participation according to the health fund's regulations. It is also recommended for patients with risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, hypertension, high LDL cholesterol, family history of heart disease, obesity, and smoking.
The benefits of participating in the cardiac rehabilitation program include rapid recovery of optimal function in work, social, family, and marital life, acquiring healthy lifestyle habits, health education, reducing the risk of future cardiac events, prolonging life expectancy, and improving physical and mental quality of life. It also improves cardiac function and cardiorespiratory fitness.
The program includes supervised physical activity in advanced facilities equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and computerized wireless monitoring systems. It also provides personalized exercise programs under the guidance of a physiologist and a fitness trainer, with close monitoring by a physician and experienced nurse. Medical follow-up and counseling are provided throughout the program by the nursing team. Nutritional counseling and guidance are also provided, along with risk factor management and smoking cessation support.
Health education lectures on various topics related to heart health are offered as part of the program. The program consists of three stages: group education, pre-rehabilitation evaluation, and personalized exercise training. The recommended duration of participation is 9 weeks, with a minimum participation of 3 weeks.
To join the program, individuals need to schedule an appointment at the Rehabilitation and Prevention Clinic by contacting the provided phone numbers or email address. They are required to bring relevant medical documents and test results for evaluation and planning.
Overall, the Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention Center at Shaare Zedek Medical Center provides comprehensive and evidence-based cardiac rehabilitation services, aiming to improve the health and well-being of individuals with heart disease and prevent future cardiac events.