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.

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.