Center for Healthy Living

The Richard R. Pivirotto Center for Healthy Living at 500 West Putnam Avenue focuses on rehabilitation, prevention and wellness for patients with cardiovascular, pulmonary, peripheral vascular disease and other chronic diseases. Programs are designed to assist patients to improve their physical fitness and overall health.

All classes are offered Monday - Friday. Please call 203-863-3756 for more information and scheduling.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

The Cardiac Rehabilitation program is for people who have had a recent heart attack, heart transplant or heart surgery or have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The program is designed to help strengthen the heart through exercise, nutrition education and stress management. Our nurses, exercise physiologists and registered dietitians develop an individualized exercise program to meet your needs. Your cardiologist is updated on progress, with frequent monitoring of your blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm (EKG), blood glucose (for diabetics) and fitness level.

A cardiac rehabilitation physician referral form is required for the program. Insurance coverage for most heart conditions.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is designed for individuals diagnosed with pulmonary (respiratory or lung) diseases such as COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, restrictive lung disease or have had a lung transplant. This program focuses on exercise, nutrition education, breathing techniques and stress management to help strengthen your heart and lungs. An individualized exercise program will be prescribed to meet your needs and goals. Your doctor is updated on progress, with frequent monitoring of your blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, blood glucose and fitness level.

A pulmonary rehabilitation physician referral form and recent pulmonary function test are required for the program. Insurance coverage for those who qualify.

Peripheral Artery Disease Rehabilitation

Peripheral artery disease rehabilitation is a supervised exercise program for individuals diagnosed with peripheral artery disease/claudication. This program is designed to help improve walking duration while decreasing claudication pain. The program includes a thorough assessment of walking and fitness, followed by three months of supervised exercise, education and counseling.

Treatment is covered by Medicare and most private insurances.

Medical Fitness Program

This exercise program is for individuals with chronic conditions which may include:

• Bariatric surgery
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis
• Obesity
• Osteoporosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Stroke

For each participant, an exercise physiologist will create a customized fitness plan to maximize cardiovascular health and physical strength. Each participant will have frequent monitoring of their blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation and blood glucose throughout each exercise session. Individuals in the program can also work with an exercise physiologist one-on-one for either 30 minutes or 60 minutes to focus more on balance and strength training.

This program is not covered by insurance. A medical fitness program physician referral form is required for the program.

Nutrition and Exercise Therapy for Breast Cancer Survivors (NEXT)

The NEXT program is a three month exercise program designed specifically for breast cancer patients that have been treated at Greenwich Hospital. Patients complete an initial fitness assessment where an exercise program will be designed to meet their goals. They also have the opportunity to complete one-on-one strength training sessions with our exercise physiologists focusing on strength and flexibility. Blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation and blood glucose will be frequently monitored throughout each exercise session.

This program is free of charge to those who qualify. Medical clearance and a referral form are required to participate in the program.