For Patients and Visitors
What is the Service?
Heart Failure Rehabilitation is a program for people with chronic heart disease who find that daily activities are getting harder due to shortness of breath or fatigue. Clients referred to the program will have a confirmed diagnosis of Chronic Heart Failure and will be medically stable. The program includes nursing and allied health professionals.
What can I expect from the service?
Each participant has an individually designed program and aims to reduce their symptoms, optimise function and improve self-management.
Heart Failure Rehab is held at 2 Northern Health sites:
The Northern Hospital Epping:
Monday and Wednesday
Craigieburn:
Monday and Wednesday
What do I bring/need for my appointment?
Please bring a list of current medications, relevant scans or results.
How much does it cost?
- No cost for attending Heart Failure Rehab.
- If client is referred onto additional Community Therapy Services, there may be a fee incurred of $5-10 per visit.
- If client is ineligible for Medicare the referral for the service will need to be reviewed by management
Contact us
For referrals or enquiries regarding this service please contact the Community Access Service team
Free Call: 1300 128 539
Fax: 8405 8616
For Health Professionals
Service overview
Heart Failure Rehabilitation is a program for people with chronic heart disease who find that daily activities are getting harder due to shortness of breath or fatigue. Clients referred to the program will have a confirmed diagnosis of Chronic Heart Failure and will be medically stable. The program includes nursing and allied health professionals.
What can be provided?
Each participant has an individually designed program and aims to reduce their symptoms, optimise function and improve self-management.
Heart Failure Rehab is held at 2 Northern Health sites:
The Northern Hospital Epping:
Monday and Wednesday
Craigieburn:
Monday and Wednesday
Inclusion criteria:
- Diagnosis of Chronic Heart Failure (NYHA Class 1–3)
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy
- Viral Cardiomyopathy
- Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
- Alcohol induced Cardiomyopathy
- Severe LV Dysfunction
- Cardiomegaly
- AICD insertion devices
- Low EF (<50%)
- Diastolic or systolic dysfunction
- Right side or left sided Congestive Cardiac Failure
- At Risk of Hospitalisation
- Clinically stable: No change in symptoms and medications >1 month prior to entry.
- At risk of presentation to the hospital.
- Chronic heart failure re-admission risk tool score 4 or greater
- Intact cognitive function
- Able to walk at least 50–100m
Exclusion criteria:
- Congestive Cardiac Failure but has surgical intervention (CABGs, Valve etc.) – needs to go to Cardiac Rehab
- Unstable cardiovascular disease e.g.: unstable angina, aortic valve disease, unstable pulmonary hypertension, uncontrolled arrhythmias
- Awaiting PCI/staged PCI/ cardiac surgery
- NYHA Class 4
- Co-existing conditions that would limit ability to exercise
- Resting heart rate > 120bpm
- Systolic BP > 180mm Hg
- Diastolic BP > 100 mm Hg
How to Refer:
Referral from any source will be accepted. Referral must include:
- Reason for referral
- Current and past medical history
- Information relation to the patient’s condition
- Medication(s)
For referrals or enquiries regarding this service please contact the Community Access Service team
Free Call: 1300 128 539
Fax: 8405 8616
Alternative service options:
Programs are offered through:
- Northern Health HARP Chronic Disease Stream
- Melbourne Health
- Austin Health
- Western Health
