A cardiac event is a traumatic experience, which may arouse anxiety and raise questions as to the patient’s ability to resume normal functions after the event.
A person who has undergone a cardiac event is advised to undertake a rehabilitation program, to enable the patient to resume the best possible functioning in daily life – whether physically, mentally or socially.
Note!
There is clear scientific evidence proving that cardiac rehabilitation assists the patient in resuming normal functions faster; it also improves the patient’s physical and mental state. Research shows that patients who have undergone cardiac rehabilitation live longer and better than patients who did not undergo rehabilitation. It is therefore advisable to begin rehabilitation as soon as possible after being discharged. following the event.
If you have suffered a cardiac event, it is important for you to know that your HMO provides services that will be helpful in your rehabilitation:
The national health insurance law states that patients who have suffered a heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, a defibrillator pacemaker implant or patients suffering from grade II-III congestive heart failure, are entitled to a course of cardiac rehabilitation, which includes the following:
- Rehabilitation – including instruction through appointments with a doctor, a nurse, a dietitian, a health educator and supervised exercise, all at specific timings following the cardiac event, and for a predefined length of time.
- 5 days of recuperation – after being discharged from the hospital, following acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) or bypass surgery.
- Heart rate monitoring for 6 weeks – after acute myocardial infarction or after open-heart surgery.
Note!
According to the national health insurance law, the HMOs in Israel are required to provide their insureds the health services included in the basic health basket. Cardiac rehabilitation is a service included in the basic health basket, meaning that your insuring HMO is legally obliged to provide you with this service.
