Cardiopulmonary
Rehab

Cardiopulmonary Rehab

Cardiopulmonary care covers a range of conditions that affect the heart and lungs, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure and cardiac arrythmia (irregular heartbeat). At Riverwood Healthcare Center, our team offers therapy services to help enhance your body’s function and ability in daily tasks.

Cardiopulmonary services are available in Aitkin. To learn more, call (218) 927-5312. A referral may be required for cardiopulmonary services, please check with your primary care provider and your insurance carrier.

Occupational Therapist Specialties

Respiratory therapists provide care and support to patients of all ages with problems related to breathing such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, among other lung diseases.

Respiratory therapy services at Riverwood include:

Pulmonary/lung function tests to determine how well the lungs are working
Breathing retraining
Oxygen therapy
Pentamidine nebulizer treatment (chemotherapy drug for leukemia, multiple myeloma)
Fit testing for respiratory masks

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

We can also help you participate in activities with less shortness of breath, as well as teach you how to live better with your lung condition. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a monitored program that measures shortness of breath and oxygen levels while patients are using specific kinds of exercise equipment.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a specialized program for heart patients after an acute cardiac event like a heart attack, heart procedure, or surgery that is typically recommended and approved by your physician. It is a monitored program with specific types of exercises and equipment used and is conducted according to your individual prescription.

We specialize in helping you learn how to return to the activities you enjoy. We offer patient education on healthy lifestyle changes. This will help you in planning and implementing a prescribed home exercise program that you can do safely and effectively.

Cardiac stress tests, which are coordinated by our cardiopulmonary staff, are offered in our Radiology department.

Other cardiac services include Holter Event monitoring and an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG); both serve to check for different heart conditions.

Meet our Cardiopulmonary Team

Our cardiopulmonary rehab team is here to help you build strength, endurance, and confidence after a cardiac or respiratory event. With customized exercise programs and education, we work alongside you to improve heart and lung function, supporting a safe return to your daily activities and a healthier life.

Jen Hambrick, RRT

Kassi Hess, RRT

Mitch Kline, EP