Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Accreditation Means High-Quality Care

St. Cloud Hospital and the CentraCare Rehabilitation Center in Willmar are certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. That means you’ll receive support that’s proven to help people like you improve:

• Shortness of breath
• Functional capacity (energy and stamina)
• Health-related quality of life

Do I Need Lung Rehabilitation?

Your doctor may recommend pulmonary rehab after a diagnosis of:

• Bronchiectasis
• Chronic bronchitis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Emphysema
• Interstitial lung disease
• Long-haul COVID-19
• Pulmonary fibrosis

Rehabilitation can also increase your respiratory health before and after a lung transplant.

Setting You Up for Success

During orientation, you’ll:

• Answer written questions about your symptoms and health history
• Take a six-minute walk test, which measures your lungs’ capacity during physical activity

Based on the information we receive, we’ll help you set goals for the program. You’ll also learn breathing techniques to help you maintain your energy during and after rehab.

What to Expect

Twice a week, you’ll attend classes lasting one or two hours in small groups that allow for one-on-one time with the instructor and staff. Invite a family member to join you in learning about:

• Lung function and treatment options
• Medication side effects and self-care
• Oxygen therapy
• Signs you need medical attention
• Strategies to quit smoking
• Stress reduction and relaxation techniques
• Ways to manage shortness of breath
• Ways to get the nutrition you need for better lung health

For the exercise portion of rehabilitation, you’ll receive a custom plan tailored to your needs. We’ll monitor your vital signs as you work out to help you safely increase your strength.

Team Approach

You’ll have support from a team of experts, including respiratory therapists, nurses and exercise physiologists. They specialize in chronic lung conditions and work together across all CentraCare’s rehab sites. So, you receive the same excellent care no matter where you take part in rehabilitation.