Brookings Health System

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation

Two cardiopulmonary rehabilitation patients walking on treadmills in the cardiac rehab gymCardiopulmonary rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to help patients return to an active, healthy lifestyle following a cardiac dysfunction, such as a heart attack or heart surgery. It also may benefit patients who are diagnosed with pulmonary conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our program uses a multi-disciplinary approach that focuses on exercise, education and behavior modification to improve cardiovascular health.

The program consists of four phases:

  • Phase 1: an inpatient program during your initial hospital stay that assesses your limitations
  • Phase 2 & 3: an outpatient exercise program at Brookings Health System designed for you. A specialist monitors cardiac rhythm, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels as needed.
  • Phase 4: maintenance program at the Fishback Indoor Training (FIT) Facility with less monitoring that teaches you how to exercise on your own and reinforces healthy lifestyle changes after rehabilitation ends.

Related Info

Watch & Learn

Retired RN Sue Karolczak explains how cardiopulmonary rehabilitation helped her recovery from COVID-19. Then watch Flandreau electrical engineer Ted Smith talk about the cardiopulmonary rehab care he received after an open heart surgery.

Brookings Health System’s cardiopulmonary program includes:

  • Supervised exercise and monitoring of vital statistics, such as cardiac rhythm, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, etc.
  • Individual counseling for:
    • Nutrition
    • Goal setting
    • Smoking cessation
    • Diabetes
    • Weight management
    • Medication adherence
    • Exercise
    • Coping skills
    • Parkinson's patients

Who Benefits from Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation?

People who have had:

  • A heart attack
  • Angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting for coronary heart disease
  • A heart valve repair or replacement
  • High blood pressure
  • A heart transplant or a lung transplant
  • Angina
  • Heart failure
  • COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
  • Diabetes
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Parkinson's
  • Post COVID-19 conditions

What does Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Improve?

  • Ability to perform activities of daily living 
  • Reduces your health risk factors
  • Emotional stability
  • Ability to manage your disease
  • Overall quality of life
  • Improve balance

Hours and Location

Phase 2 and 3: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Brookings Health System, 300 22nd Ave.

  • 8 - 9 a.m.
  • 10 - 11 a.m.
  • 12 - 1 p.m.
  • 1:15 - 2:15 p.m.
  • 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Phase 4: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Fishback Indoor Training (FIT) Facility, 3105 Main Avenue South:

  • 5:30 - 7 a.m. (6 a.m. group exercise class)
  • 9:00 - 11 a.m. (9:30 a.m. group exercise class)

For more information, contact the Cardiac Rehab department at (605) 696-8065.