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Supporting Recovery Through Cardiac Rehabilitation at MLHS
March 2, 2026
Mille Lacs Health System offers cardiac rehabilitation services to support patients recovering from heart events and cardiac procedures. This structured, medically supervised program provides care after hospital discharge, helping individuals rebuild strength, improve endurance, and better understand how to care for their heart over time.
Cardiac rehabilitation is an outpatient program designed for patients who have experienced a heart attack, undergone stent placement or bypass surgery, or been treated for other cardiac conditions. The program typically begins within a few weeks after discharge, once a patient is medically stable and has received a referral from their provider.
Rehabilitation sessions at MLHS are monitored and supervised by trained clinical staff. Exercise is individualized and guided, with heart rhythm monitoring when appropriate to ensure safety. The focus is not only on rebuilding physical endurance, but also on helping patients better understand their heart condition and recognize warning signs that may require medical attention.
Education is a central part of the program. Patients receive guidance on heart-healthy habits, including physical activity, blood pressure awareness, and heart rate monitoring. Participants are encouraged to track measures such as blood pressure and heart rate at home and are provided with a structured home exercise plan to continue after completing rehabilitation. The goal is to support long-term, sustainable habits that promote overall cardiovascular health.
Sessions are typically conducted in small groups, allowing patients to learn alongside others who are navigating similar experiences. This setting supports individualized attention while also providing encouragement from peers during recovery.
Cardiac rehabilitation at MLHS is led by Paige Brunson, RN, and Amy Olson, EP. Brunson brings experience in cardiac nursing and stress testing, while Olson, an exercise physiologist with a background in clinical exercise science, focuses on safe, evidence-based exercise programming tailored to each patient’s needs. Both providers emphasize patient education, individualized exercise programming, and helping patients better understand their heart condition as they return to daily activities. Together, they support patients throughout each stage of rehabilitation and communicate with providers as part of the patient’s overall care.
Cardiac rehabilitation plays an important role in helping patients regain strength and move forward with greater understanding of their health. Individuals who believe they may benefit from cardiac rehabilitation can speak with their primary care provider about a referral.