Cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive program of exercise, education and support that can help you make important lifestyle changes, improve your quality of life, and help you and your family learn to live without worry about your cardiac disease.

St. Vincent’s Medical Center

When choosing a program you should first ask: Does the program have a medical director? Program staff can include registered nurses, registered clinical exercise physiologists, registered physical therapists, and other exercise staff. Health professionals with advanced training in emergency cardiovascular care should be present at all times. In addition to providing you with additional safety should you encounter problems, these professionals will help you develop the confidence in your own abilities. The program you select should be certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation(AACVPR). At least one staff member should be a member of the AACVPR and the CT Society for Cardiac Rehabilitation.

What kind of facilities are provided for exercise? Look for a program with stationary bicycles, treadmills, or various other cardiovascular training equipment including resistance equipment such as weights and elastic bands. Elaborate physical conditioning equipment beyond these three essentials is not necessary and is not as important as the knowledge and training of the program staff. The facility may be located in the hospital or at an offsite facility.

How is the program tailored for your needs? Beware of programs that have “one-size-fits-all” exercise program. A program should be designed for your specific needs as determined by your physician’s direction and by the program’s staff. Your exercise program should be put together by staff with special training in working with heart patients. During your program, your progress should be monitored and recorded.

How is the facility equipped to handle an emergency? The facility should be staffed with trained medical professionals and equipped with emergency equipment such as a defibrillator.

Are patients monitored during exercise? A heart monitoring system is essential for patients during the early phases of their program. As their confidence and ability grows, this monitoring may no longer be required. Once a heart monitoring system is no longer needed (as determined by the program staff), patients should at least have their pulse rate and blood pressure checked periodically during exercise.

Are lifestyle habits other than exercise addressed? Exercise is only one component of rehabilitation. The rehabilitation staff should discuss with you modification of other risk factors, including management of stress, body weight, diet, diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and smoking cessation. Exercise alone will not produce the results you are looking to achieve. The staff will also teach you about managing your symptoms and about your medications. Other staff members who may be a part of the cardiac rehabilitation team include registered dieticians, mental health professionals, and pharmacists.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs

Location: ProgramAddressPhoneFaxWebsite
BranfordYale New Haven Hospital Heart and Vascular Center Cardiac Rehabilitation – Branford*84 North Main Street(203) 483-3107(203) 483-3187Website
BristolBristol Hospital* – Bernie Guida Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab Center43 Brewster Road(860) 585-3580(860) 585-3463
BridgeportBridgeport Hospital Cardiac Rehab1305 Post Rd. Suite 105(203) 256-5896(203) 256-5796
St. Vincent’s Medical Center* – Cardiac Rehabilitation2800 Main Street(475) 210-5012(475) 210-6148
DanburyDanbury Hospital*24 Hospital Avenue(203) 739-7983(203) 739-7987Website
DerbyGriffin Hospital – Hewitt Pavilion Outpatient Center*350 Seymour Avenue(203) 732-7106(203) 732-1418
EnfieldJohnson Memorial Hospital* – Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation15 Palomba Drive Suite 4(860) 763-7683(860) 253-9905
FairfieldBridgeport Hospital1305 Post Road – Suite 105(203) 256-5896(203) 256-5796
FarmingtonFarmington Cardiac Rehabilitation11 South Road, Suite 260(860) 696-0080(860) 696-0085
GlastonburyHartford Hospital in Glastonbury*305 Western Blvd – Suite 104(860) 633-9084(860) 633-9204
GreenwichGreenwich Hospital – Center for Healthy Living Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation*500 West Putnam Ave. 3rd floor(203) 863-3756(203) 863-4590
HartfordHartford Hospital*85 Seymour Street – Suite 607(860) 972-2133(860) 545-3352Website
St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center * – Phase I and II Cardiac Rehab114 Woodland Street(860) 714-4538(860) 714-8001
The Fitness Center at Saint Francis* – Phase III/Maintenance Program Cardiac Rehab95 Woodland Street(860) 714-4538
ManchesterManchester Memorial Hospital – Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation*71 Haynes Street(860) 646-1222, Ext 2166(860) 533-2933Website
MeridenMidState Medical Center*435 Lewis Avenue(203) 694-8541(203) 694-7606Website
MiddletownMiddlesex Health Cardiac Rehabilitation*534 Saybrook Road, 2nd Floor(860) 358-2450(860) 358-2451
New BritainThe Hospital of Central Connecticut New Britain Campus*100 Grand Street(860) 224-5462(860) 224-5815Website
New HavenYale New Haven Hospital Heart and Vascular Center Cardiac Rehabilitation – New Haven*175 Sherman Avenue(203) 789-4158(203) 789-4081Website
New LondonLawrence & Memorial Hospital*365 Montauk Avenue(860) 442-0711, Ext 2582(860) 444-3740
New MilfordNew Milford Hospital21 Elm Street(860) 210-5328(860) 210-5329Website
NorwalkNorwalk Hospital* – Cardiac Rehab24 Stevens Street203) 852-2194(203) 855-3653
NorwichBackus Hospital326 Washington Street(860) 823-6336(860) 823-6526Website
PutnamDay Kimball Hospital320 Pomfret St.(860) 963-6315(860) 963-6454
SharonSharon Hospital Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation50 Hospital Hill Road(860) 364-4221(860) 364-4299
SouthingtonThe Hospital of Central Connecticut at Bradley Memorial*81 Meriden Avenue(860) 276-5304(860) 276-5344Website
StamfordStamford Health System*32 Strawberry Hill Court, 2nd Floor(203) 276-2183(203) 276-2193
TorringtonCharlotte Hungerford Hospital*
Satellite: Winsted Health Center
780 Litchfield Street(860) 496-9512(860) 496-9959
VernonRockville General Hospital* – Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab31 Union Street(860) 872-5171(860) 872-5125Website
WaterburySt. Mary’s Hospital56 Franklin Street(203) 709-6202(203) 709-5121
Waterbury Hospital – Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation64 Robbins Street(203) 573-7118(203) 573-6733
West HartfordMandell Jewish Community Center – Phase III/Maintenance Program Cardiac Rehab335 Bloomfield Avenue(860) 714-4538
Willimantic*Windham Hospital – Healing Hearts Phase 2 & Phase 3 Maintenance Program112 Mansfield Ave.(860) 456-6103(860) 456-6077Website
WinstedCharlotte Hungerford Hospital at Winsted Health Center*115 Spencer Street(860) 738-6660(860) 738-6692

* Denotes current cardiac rehabilitation program certification by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).  Program certification status is based on information obtained from the AACVPR website (aacvpr.org).  Program re-certification is required every 3 years.