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Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center

Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center

University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute provides a specialized team approach to improve the health of patients with a chronic or advanced heart, vascular or lung condition.


Refer a Patient

Call 216-844-3800
All major insurance accepted. Physician referral required.

A Vital Service to Support the Best Outcomes

Our rehabilitation programs help patients minimize the risk of further cardiac, vascular and pulmonary problems and ensure quicker, more effective recovery through tailored exercise, education and counseling components. Before developing an individualized plan, our team conducts a detailed evaluation that assesses the patient’s health, physiological function and related risk factors.

Rehabilitation teams at University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute include physicians, nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, exercise physiologists and certified dietitians – so each patient is supported by multiple specialists for the best possible outcomes.

Clinical Indications for Referral

Cardiac Rehabilitation

  • Myocardial Infarction (heart attack)
  • Coronary artery bypass graft surgery
  • Heart valve repair or replacement
  • Percutaneous coronary intervention or stent
  • Stable angina
  • Congestive heart failure (must meet criteria EF ≤ 35%, NYHA II-IV)
  • Ventricular assist device (VAD)
  • Heart transplant
  • Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)

Vascular Rehabilitation

  • Peripheral artery disease
  • Intermittent claudication when walking
  • Arterial revascularization procedure (lower extremity bypass surgery, angioplasty or stent)

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

  • Asthma
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Emphysema
  • Lung cancer
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Neuromuscular disorders
  • Sarcoidosis

Rehabilitation Programs are Unquestionably Effective

  • Data from the Million Hearts initiative of the Centers for Disease Control and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services show that people who attend all 36 sessions of a typical cardiac rehab program have a 47 percent lower risk of death and a 31 percent lower risk of heart attack than do people who attend only one session.
  • Data from meta-analyses of randomized-controlled trials show that participation in medically supervised rehabilitation results in decreases in mortality as well as improvements in physical and psychological function.
  • Data reported through the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute show participation in pulmonary rehabilitation results in fewer COPD exacerbations and a reduction in the number of hospital inpatient days during the following year.

Provider Education

Experts at University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute have been working with colleagues in prominent national organizations over recent years to develop online education aimed at increasing provider knowledge about the benefits and indications for rehabilitation services.

American College of Cardiology

Free educational webinar, 15 modules grouped in five, one-hour sessions. Dual CME/MOC credit available.

Webinar Details +

  • Which patients are appropriate for cardiac rehab referral and enrollment
  • Using exercise stress testing before cardiac rehab to develop the exercise prescription and to evaluate improvement and return to work activities after cardiac rehab
  • Constructing an exercise prescription for most patients in Phase 2 cardiac rehab
  • Tailoring cardiac rehab for patients with systolic heart failure, LVADs, post-heart transplant or frailty
  • Developing an exercise prescription for patients with pacemakers, ICDs or recent valve procedures
  • Screening patients in cardiac rehab for depression or anxiety
  • Applying practical pharmacotherapy to enhance tobacco cessation in patients in cardiac rehab

Watch Now

American Association of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Five-part educational webinar series. CE credit available.

Webinar Details +

  • Using Medicare Rules to Build a Better Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
  • Providing a Personalized Exercise Prescription for the Clinical Patient
  • The Role of the Medical Director
  • Risk Factors: Prioritization and Resources
  • Measuring and Tracking Outcomes to Improve Care

Watch Now