Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation is an effective measure to improve your performance and quality of life and to prevent further cardiac events.

The therapy is used

• For patients with a disease affecting the heart or circulation (e.g. heart failure or peripheral artery disease = PAD)
• After heart surgery (e.g. valve operations, bypass grafting) or stenting
• When there are strong cardiovascular risk factors (overweight, diabetes, high blood pressure, disorders of fat metabolism)

The goals of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation are

• Targeted improvement of strength and endurance, adjusted to your needs in everyday life
• To get to know your own limits and reduce anxiety

You can expect

• Clearly defined training times
• Training in small groups
• Care from specially trained cardiac therapists
• Regular medical review by a physician during training
• Presentations and relaxation units in addition to the active therapeutic measures
• The possibility of cardiac-related psychotherapy
• General medical care in discussion with your family doctor or heart specialist

Shortness of breath is often the main symptom of lung disease. Shortness of breath leads to greater avoidance of physical activity. This lack of physical activity leads to progressive weakness of the cardiovascular system and the muscles. This weakness in turn means that relatively more effort is required and there is greater shortness of breath on exercise. In other words, a vicious circle of inactivity develops.

Targeted training can improve your performance, reduce shortness of breath, and break the vicious circle. Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation is a modern evidence-based treatment used for chronic lung disease, after acute lung diseases, or before and after surgery on the lungs. It is a multidisciplinary program that is adjusted to the individual.

The outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program usually lasts for three months or 36 sessions.

Which conditions can outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation be used for?

• COPD
• Asthma
• Other chronic lung disease (such as cystic fibrosis)
• After acute lung disease (such as pneumonia)
• Before and after surgery on the lungs
   

What are the requirements for successful treatment?

• Completed medical diagnostic investigations
• Sufficient mobility to allow participation in training
• Well-adjusted medication
• Active motivation and regular participation in the program
   

What are the goals?

• To increase the quality of life
• To improve physical fitness
• To reduce shortness of breath and break the vicious circle of inactivity
• To learn strategies for situations of physical activity
• To learn breathing and coughing techniques
• If necessary: to improve your diet
   

Who bears the costs?
After they have approved the assumption of costs, the health insurance will bear these costs. Your private payments will depend on your franchise and 10% deductible.
 

Is the program accredited?
The program is accredited by the Swiss Society of Pulmonology and is carried out in cooperation with the Lung Center in Zurich.
 

How do I register?
Your treating physician has to fill out an application form for you.
 

What does the program entail?
It starts with a medical examinations and performance tests to estimate your current physical performance. A personalized training program will be drawn up for you on the basis of these results.

In a 1:1 session, we will determine your respiratory profile and discuss relevant strategies for breathing and coping with everyday life. We will also provide you with information on the topics that are important in addition to physical training.

In the subsequent group training, you will work on your personalized training program to improve your physical performance with respect to endurance and strength. These small group sessions are held twice a week and last for an hour each time.

Medical Training Therapy (MTT) treats and trains acute and chronic conditions. The goal of MTT is to restore patients to their own level of physical fitness, whether for everyday activities, at work, or in competitive sports.

Therapy is used for

• Back complaints
• Rheumatic diseases
• Operations on the spine
• Knee or hip joint replacements
• Cardiovascular or respiratory diseases
• Transit to independent or sport-specific training
• Maintaining physical performance for professional athletes
   

What does treatment consist of?

• Medical history (discussion with the patient) and introduction to training, lasting about one hour
• Precise determination of the current physical status and setting goals together.
• Subsequent smaller measurements and tests when necessary to optimize training and monitor advances