Smoking Cessation and Stress Management

Patients entering the HeartWorks Cardiac Rehab program undergo an initial smoking and psychosocial stress evaluation. Patients who wish to quit smoking enter a one-on-one stepwise smoking education and cessation counseling program. They are also given information regarding nicotine replacement therapies and other pharmacological aids for smoking cessation.

All patients are enrolled in stress management training and are taught different stress management techniques. Patients who are identified with high levels of anxiety and/or depression on initial screening are referred for professional counseling through their primary care providers.