SFVA Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
The cardiac rehabilitation program (Healthy Heart Program) at the San Francisco VA Health Care System is a multidisciplinary team of clinicians focused on improving cardiovascular health, knowledge, and well-being after hospitalization for a heart attack, coronary stent, coronary artery bypass surgery, valve replacement, chronic angina, or heart failure.
Our team includes a cardiologist, nurse, exercise physiologist, and dietician who will work closely with patients and help them transition from their cardiac procedure to home.
The Healthy Heart Program consults with nearly 300 patients each year prior to discharge and works with them to determine whether referral to a non-VA community-based program our our own SFVA telemedicine-based program will best help them achieve their own personal goals to improve their cardiac health.
300
patients annually
Cardiac rehabilitation is a clinical service to support patients over a 12 week period during which they are provided with exercise guidance and cardiac health education. The core components of the Healthy Heart Program include:
1. Exercise guidance to maintain recommended physical activity and improve fitness
2. Nutritional counseling for a healthy diet
3. Improve medication adherence and understand the reason for each medication
4. Reduce stress
5. Stop smoking
For patients in our Healthy Heart Program we provide a Fitbit device to monitor exercise and heart rate, resistance bands, workbook, and DVDs and contact patients using telephone or video conferencing once weekly.
Healthy Heart Program Team:
| Name | Position/Title |
|---|---|
| David Schopfer, MD MAS | Director & Cardiologist |
| Kimberly Piros, RN | Nurse |
| Michael Bettencourt, MBA | Exercise Physiologist |
| Hilary Anderson, RDN | Dietician |
| Scott Munson, BA | Administrative Coordinator |
Contact Us:
For more information: https://www.sanfrancisco.va.gov/services/HealthyHeart_.asp
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