The Strong Heart Program is a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program that offers both preventive and rehabilitative care for individuals recovering from or at risk for heart disease. The center is located approximately two miles from the University of Rochester Medical Center in a new expanded facility in the Clinton Crossings Medical Complex near the corner of South Clinton Avenue and Westfall Road. The program combines medical supervision and cardiac monitoring; educational, dietary, and psychological counseling; and a progressive exercise-training program to help patients reach and maintain a high level of heart fitness.

Patients enter the program at their physician's request during or after hospitalization for angina, heart surgery, angioplasty, and/or a heart attack. The program begins in the hospital and then continues on a outpatient basis for several months after discharge and then on an ongoing basis in the lifetime maintenance program.

The Strong Heart Program consists of three phases:

Phase I - Begins in the hospital following a cardiac event. Emphasis is placed on gradual progression of exercise tolerance in order to reach the highest level of mobility possible prior to discharge. The program is also designed to help the patient and their family members better understand heart disease through a structured educational series.

Phase II - Upon discharge from the hospital, this outpatient phase of cardiac rehabilitation generally lasts 12 - 18 weeks. Patients attend the program 2 -3 times per week and exercise for a one hour time interval which includes both warm-up and cool-down periods. Educational classes are conducted daily and each patient must complete 24 secondary prevention classes prior to graduation from the Phase II program. In addition to exercise and education, patients are offered the opportunity to participate in weekly cooking classes, stress management seminars, and a formal weight loss program. Upon physician recommendation, patients can also attend the Preventive Cardiology Clinic where their blood lipids can be managed and followed.

Phase III - This is a lifetime maintenance program that fosters the continuation of "heart healthy" behaviors and provides the necessary support to help the patient maintain a high level of heart fitness and compliance to their new lifestyle. Also available is the STRONG Partners Program - an exercise program designed for the significant other of the cardiac rehabilitation patient.

The STRONG Heart Program is housed in an 8,000 sq.ft. medical suite complete with examination rooms, an exercise stress testing lab, a cooking demonstration kitchen with adjoining educational classroom, locker rooms equipped with showers, and a 4,000 sq.ft. exercise area. The finest state-of-the-art exercise equipment is offered including treadmills, rowing machines, recumbent and stationary bicycles, upper body arm ergometers, stairmasters, and strength training equipment.

Classes are offered throughout the day and evening. The program is open from 7am -7pm daily. All classes are supervised by an exercise physiologist and specially trained cardiac care nurses who are certified in advanced cardiac life support. A licensed nurse practitioner is in attendance at all Phase II classes and most Phase III classes. A cardiologist is readily available at all times.

For more information, please call:
(716) 341-7100 or 341-7101.

If inquiring by mail:

STRONG Heart Program
Cardiac Rehabilitation Center
Clinton Crossings Medical Complex
2400 S. Clinton Avenue, Bldg. H, Suite 130
Rochester, New York 14618

All individuals entering the Strong Heart Program require physician approval prior to entering the program. Our staff will be happy to help expedite the entrance process.