Wilcox Medical Center reintroduces personalized Cardiac Rehab program

The Wilcox Medical Center in Līhu’e has reintroduced its comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Program designed to support patients recovering from heart-related conditions.

The Cardiac Rehab program is returning for the first time after a five-year pause since the COVID-19 pandemic to offer personalized exercise plans combined with important health education.

The goal is to boost cardiovascular strength and overall well-being on the Garden Isle.

The Wilcox Medical Center is a part of this initiative in partnership with the American Heart Association.

“This program can have long-lasting, positive impacts on patients and furthers our commitment to creating healthier communities,” said Jen Chahanovich, president and CEO of Wilcox Medical Center and CEO of the Kaua‘i Medical Clinic.

According to the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, stroke is the third-leading cause of death in Hawaiʻi and the leading cause of disability. Cardiovascular disease, which includes stroke and heart conditions, is the state’s number one cause of death.

The Wilcox Medical Centerʻs medically supervised programs can be customized to accommodate the patient’s needs. They can last from 12 to 36 weeks, depending on individual needs.

The program focuses on low-impact aerobic exercises and strength training.

Participants attend sessions twice a week for an hour at a time, working closely with trained staff to safely build endurance and improve heart function. The clinic also features equipment suitable for all fitness levels and is outfitted with the latest monitoring tools to track vital signs and heart performance in real time.

Beyond physical activity, the program includes structured education sessions.

Members learn how to manage diabetes and heart failure, proper nutrition, medication adherence, and lifestyle modifications critical to long-term heart health.

The program launch also celebrates World Heart Day, which is observed every Sept. 29.

In April, a statewide initiative called Mission: Lifeline Stroke was launched to improve stroke care. It is backed by a $5.8 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and $1 million from the American Heart Association.

The National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association also report that a cardiac rehabilitation program can reduce mortality, lessen the chance of another heart attack, and increase a person’s quality of life.

“When it comes to stroke, every second counts,” said Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green, a physician. “This initiative is a transformative step in ensuring that even our most rural communities have access to lifesaving stroke care.”

Eligible patients can enroll through a physician’s order.