Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Cardiac Rehabilitation (Rehab) for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Patients on 6 Minute Walk Test and Quality of Life

Randomized, Single Center Study to Determine if a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Immediately Following Hospitalization Reduces Hospital Readmissions and Improves Quality of Life Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients.

The aim of the investigators' project is to determine if patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of heart failure to Sanford Health facilities in regional southeastern South Dakota demonstrate benefits in improvement in functional capacity, quality of life, and a reduction in hospital readmission rates from a cardiac rehab program immediately following a discharge for an acute decompensated heart failure diagnosis related inpatient hospitalization encounter. The investigators hypothesize that those that receive cardiac rehab will have improved quality of life and reduced readmission rates at 30 and 90 days.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 years or older
• Admitted with acute, decompensated heart failure
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Approved by Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to enroll in cardiac rehab
• Have an elective procedure that would interrupt their exercise program
• Unable to partake in an exercise program due to physical incapacities
• Pregnancy
• Unable to read and understand the consent form