A stent or bypass restores blood flow. It does not restore the fitness of the heart, and it does not change the risk factors that led to the event. That is what phase 2 rehabilitation is for.
The three phases of cardiac recovery
| Phase | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | first days, until discharge | in hospital |
| Phase 2 | weeks and months after discharge | outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation |
| Phase 3 | lifelong | independent, with periodic check-ups |
Our programme is outpatient phase 2. You live at home, work if you are able, and come in on an agreed schedule. For most people that is the only realistic way to sustain a 12-week programme.
Why 12 weeks
Twelve weeks is the minimum recommended by AACVPR, the American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology. The reason is physiological: the heart, blood vessels and muscles need roughly that long to adapt to a training load safely and for the change to become durable.
Shorter programmes give a sense of progress. They do not build capacity that stays.
How the programme works
- Initial examination and assessment. History, current status, medication, and review of your cardiology reports.
- Functional capacity assessment. This defines the workload that is safe for you and the target heart-rate zones for training.
- Individual plan. Built around your findings, your condition and your schedule.
- Supervised sessions, two to three times a week, with heart rate, blood pressure and perceived exertion monitored at every session.
- Review after six weeks, with the plan adjusted to your progress.
- Final assessment and a written plan for phase 3.
Alongside the training there is education — on medication, blood pressure, diet, recognising symptoms, and what is and is not safe to do.
Who the programme is for
- after myocardial infarction
- after stent placement (percutaneous coronary intervention)
- after coronary artery bypass surgery
- stable heart failure
- stable angina pectoris
- after heart valve surgery
- people with multiple risk factors whose cardiologist has recommended supervised exercise
What to bring to the first visit
- hospital discharge summary
- most recent cardiologist’s report
- ECG and echocardiogram results, if available
- exercise stress test result, if performed
- a list of your medication with doses
- sports shoes and clothing you can exercise in
In patients where it is indicated, we also need clearance from a cardiologist confirming that supervised physical activity is appropriate. If something is missing, come anyway — we will tell you what is needed and help you organise it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral?
No. A private consultation and assessment can be booked directly by phone.
Is exercise safe after a heart attack?
Supervised exercise is a recommended part of treatment, not a risk. That is precisely why the workload is measured rather than estimated, and why every session is monitored.
Can I attend if I am based in Belgrade?
Yes. Patients travel from Belgrade and the surrounding municipalities. The schedule is planned so that the journey is manageable across the full 12 weeks.
What happens after the 12 weeks?
You receive a final assessment and a concrete plan for phase 3 — what to do, how often, and up to what intensity. If you prefer to keep training under supervision, you can continue at the clinic.
Book a consultation: +381 62 636 261
Prices are listed on the price list. Location and directions are on the contact page.