Cardiac Rehabilitation Team
Cardiac Rehabilitation TeamSkip to the navigationTopic OverviewAfter you start a cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) program, you will work with many health professionals.
Each will have a specific role in your rehab. While you are in rehab, make sure to stay in touch with
your doctor or other health professionals who can keep track of your
progress and health. You will probably keep in close contact with your
primary care physician and your cardiologist. Also, be aware of any
local rehab programs or support groups. Remember,
everyone's experience is different. A variety of health professionals can help
guide you through your treatment. Understanding your providers' rolesYou may need a
team of health professionals to help
treat your heart condition and manage your treatment plan. This team includes specialists and generalists. You may not
need help from all of these providers. But be aware of the different types you may see. When you understand their
roles, you can get the most out of their expertise. This
table outlines the types of health professionals who may be involved in your
treatment. Your health care team| Team member | Who are they? | What is their role? | When would you see them? |
|---|
| Primary care physician | Internist, family doctor | They manage your medical care. | Regular visits (about 2 to 4 each year) |
|---|
| Cardiologist | Heart specialist, including cardiac electrophysiologist | They give specialty medical care for your
heart. | Sometimes for regular visits, or whenever your
condition changes |
|---|
| Other specialist physicians | Nephrologist (kidney specialist), neurologist
(brain/nerve specialist), lipid disorder specialist,
endocrinologist, or physiatrist (rehab specialist) | They give specialty medical care in their area of
specialization. | Whenever complications arise or special procedures
need to be done |
|---|
| Cardiac surgeon | A physician specialist trained to operate on your
heart | They perform surgeries, such as coronary artery bypass
graft (CABG) surgeries and heart transplants. | If you are considering a cardiac surgery or to
follow up after the surgery |
|---|
| Nurse/nurse practitioner/nurse educator | Type of nurse | They educate you and help you take control of your
condition. | Whenever your medicines or diet orself-management need
to be explained |
|---|
| Rehab
nurse or occupational therapist | Specific type of professional or nurse | They help with building up your strength during
recovery and rehab. | While you are in the hospital and after discharge |
|---|
| Physical therapist or exercise physiologist | Expert in improving health through exercise | They help you plan and maintain appropriate exercise
and lifestyle behaviors. | Inpatient recovery and outpatient
rehab |
|---|
| Registered dietitian | Expert in diet and nutrition | They help you plan and stay with an appropriate
diet. | For help creating a heart-healthy diet that works
for you |
|---|
| Psychiatrist/ psychologist/ social worker/ case
manager | Mental health professional (except the case manager)
who helps coordinate care and provider services | They help you cope with psychological aspects of your
condition. They also help coordinate your care and services. | Regularly (perhaps weekly), for as long as
needed |
|---|
| Pharmacist | Pharmacology professional | They answer questions about how often to take your drugs
and the side effects they might cause. | Whenever you need prescriptions filled |
|---|
ReferencesOther Works Consulted- Thompson PD (2015). Exercise-based, comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation. In DL Mann et al., eds., Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 10th ed., vol. 1, pp. 1015-1020. Philadelphia: Saunders.
CreditsByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerRakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerRichard D. Zorowitz, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Current as ofSeptember 21, 2016 Current as of:
September 21, 2016 Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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