Cardiopulmonary Wellness Program for Maintenance and Post-Rehabilitation
- Medical History and Physical Assessment
- Physical Fitness Assessment
- Tailored Exercise Prescription
- Educational Needs Assessment
- Perceived Stress Assessment
- Clinically Supervised Exercise Sessions
- Communication with Referring Physicians
- Periodic Re-assessment and Updated Exercise Prescriptions
- Educational Seminars
Sacred Heart University is proud to offer the Wellness Program for Cardiopulmonary Maintenance and Post-Rehabilitation. If you have a history of cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, orthopedic or neuromuscular disease or if you would just like to control your risk factors for chronic disease, this program is for you.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. Research has shown that the top three risk factors for cardiovascular disease are smoking, sedentary lifestyle and obesity. Through a tailored program of supervised exercise, nutrition consultation and health education, the SHU Wellness Program can help you rehabilitate from a recent cardiopulmonary event, or help you stay in shape to minimize your risk of cardiovascular disease.
The Program
Sacred Heart University's Wellness Program is for individuals who desire more supervision than the traditional fitness center environment provides. It is intended for those with cardiovascular risk factors, a history of cardiac or pulmonary disease, or orthopedic and/or a neuromuscular condition.
The Program begins with a complete medical history and physical assessment. An exercise prescription is created using your medical history and assessment results. Based on these results, a three-month program of exercise and education will be tailored to your specific needs.
You can expect to be a part of a small group of fellow participants, with one professional staff member and two to four students assisting you with your exercise session. Your blood pressure and heart rate will be monitored during exercise and adjustments made to your program as you progress.
In addition, health education classes will be scheduled around your exercise sessions for your convenience. Topics include anatomy and physiology of the heart, adaptations to exercise, treatments and procedures, cardiac medications, healthy eating, stress management, orthopedic considerations and more.
After 12 weeks of regular attendance you will be encouraged to repeat certain fitness and assessment tests to quantify your improvement.
With this data, the professional staff and students will be able to make adjustments to your program. At your request, we will send this follow-up data to your primary care physician.
Instructors & Staff
The director of the program is a national consultant in cardiac rehabilitation programming and a clinical professor at Sacred Heart University. Additional clinical staff may include physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, athletic trainers and student interns within the health sciences program.
William H. Pitt Health & Recreation Center,
Sacred Heart University's Pitt Center, home to the University's Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center, boasts state-of-the-art cardiovascular equipment, an aerobics room, a 5,000-square-foot weight training facility, locker rooms and emergency equipment including automatic external defibrillators.
Wellness Program members have full access to the Pitt Center, which is open at convenient times to fit your schedule and is easily accessible to area residents. The Pitt Center provides a safe and comfortable environment for you to stay in shape, meet new people and have fun.
How to Join
Membership includes assessments, exercise classes, educational sessions, lifestyle counseling and a three-month membership to the Pitt Center. Your Pitt Center membership will allow you to use the facilities at any time (in addition to your other Wellness Program benefits).
A three-month membership in the Sacred Heart University Wellness Program costs $520. Your membership fees may be covered by your insurance. Please contact your insurance provider or consult with the SHU Wellness Program Director for more information.
To join the Sacred Heart University Wellness Program or for more information, please contact:
Wendy Bjerke
Director, SHU Wellness Program
Sacred Heart University
5151 Park Avenue
Fairfield, Connecticut 06825
BjerkeW@sacredheart.edu
Tel: 203-371-7781
For more information, you may download a copy of the Wellness Program brochure (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)