This 2‑hour webinar is designed to equip home health PTs and PTAs with practical skills to manage adults recovering from CABG, valve surgery, MI/stent, and heart failure in the home setting. Participants will review typical post‑hospital recovery trajectories, learn to perform focused cardiac assessments (including vitals, orthostatics, and symptom monitoring), and apply clear red‑flag criteria to guide safe “go/no‑go” decisions in non‑monitored environments. The course emphasizes designing and progressing symptom‑limited exercise and functional mobility programs using tools such as RPE, talk test, and functional outcome measures, while integrating patient and caregiver education on daily self‑monitoring, pacing, and lifestyle strategies to support cardiac stability and reduce readmissions.
Live Webinar
Wed, Jun 10, 2026 at 3:00 pm EDTCEUs/Hours Offered: AK/2.0; AL/2.0; AR/2.0; AZ/2.0; CA/2.0; CO/2.0; CT/2.0; DC/2.0; DE/2.0; FL/2.0; GA/2.0; HI/2.0; IA/2.0; IACET/0.2; ID/2.0; IL/2.0; IN/2.0; KS/2.0; KY/2.0; MA/2.0; MD/2.0; ME/2.0; MI/2.0; MO/2.0; MS/2.0; MT/2.0; NC/2.0; ND/2.0; NE/2.0; NH/2.0; NY/2.0; OK/2.0; OR/2.0; PA/2.0; RI/2.0; SC/2.0; SD/2.0; TX/2.0; UT/2.0; VA/2.0; VT/2.0; WA/2.0; WI/2.0; WY/2.0
Learning Outcomes
- After this course, participants will be able to analyze common acute and chronic cardiac conditions encountered in home health (e.g., CABG, valve surgery, MI/stent, heart failure) and differentiate typical post‑hospital recovery trajectories and examination findings relevant to PT/PTA practice.
- After this course, participants will be able to apply cardiac‑focused assessment and current cardiac rehab/heart failure guidance to determine when to initiate, modify, or stop PT interventions in non‑monitored home settings, based on vital signs, orthostatic responses, and symptom presentation.
- After this course, participants will be able to develop and implement individualized, symptom‑limited exercise and functional mobility programs, and educate patients and caregivers on self‑monitoring, activity pacing, and lifestyle strategies that support cardiac stability and reduce risk of hospital readmission.
Agenda
| 0-5 Minutes | Course overview, and learning objectives |
| 5-25 Minutes | Cardiac diagnoses & recovery trajectories (CABG, valve, MI/stent, HF with timelines and typical functional milestones) |
| 25-50 Minutes | Cardiac-focused home assessment (vital signs, orthostatics, SpO2, symptom questions, red/yellow/green flag framework) |
| 50-70 Minutes | Safety & Decision making in non-monitored settings (using guidelines, when to call MD vs EMS, effect of meds on response, "go/no go" criteria) |
| 70-95 Minutes | Exercise and mobility prescription (symptom-limited walking progressions, RPE/talk test dosing, functional training, progression strategies) |
| 95-110 Minutes | Patient and Caregiver Education (daily monitoring logs, weight thresholds, activity pacing, "sick day" rules, reducing readmission risks) |
| 110-120 Minutes | Key takeaways, Summary, and Q&A |
Presented By
Kala Markel
PT, DPT
Dr. Kala Markel is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with the Department of Veterans Affairs, serving veterans in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Chatham University, where she teaches in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. With over eleven years of experience in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, Dr. Markel has worked extensively in program development and is a strong advocate for the integral role of physical therapists in cardiopulmonary care. She also works to mentor students and new professionals in this specialty, fostering the next generation of physical therapists in cardiopulmonary rehab settings.
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Financial disclosures: Kala Markel received an honorarium for presenting this course.
Non-financial disclosures: Kala Markel has no non-financial disclosures.
Sponsor Disclosure: This Course is presented by PhysicalTherapy.com, a Continued site.
Content Disclosure: This learning event does not focus exclusively on any specific product or service.
Course participation information
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California
PhysicalTherapy.com is a recognized continuing competency approval agency for the Physical Therapy Board of California. This course is offered for 2.00 hours of continuing competency.
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New York
PhysicalTherapy.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider of physical therapy and physical therapist assistant continuing education.
Oklahoma
PhysicalTherapy.com is an Approved Provider by the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision for Physical Therapists, PT CE Provider BAP202310006. This course is offered for 2.00 hours of continuing education for Oklahoma PTs/PTAs.
Texas Physical Therapy Association
This course is offered for 2.00 hours (Intermediate level) by the Texas Physical Therapy Association. The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE. The Texas Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) administers the CCAP on behalf of the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Provider #2706033TX).
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