About Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation - North Idaho Cardiac Rehabilitation

After a heart event we know your life will have changed dramatically. You don’t have to go through recovery alone. North Idaho Cardiac Rehabilitation (NICR) is the first Pritikin-certified Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation provider in Idaho, brought to you with the evidence that you can get back to the things you love and live a healthier life.

Traditional vs Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation

Traditional Cardiac Rehabilitation: maximum of 36 sessions, primarily focused on exercise.

Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation: 72 sessions total. 36 sessions focused on exercise, 36 sessions focused on education involving the 3 pillars of the Pritikin Program.

Pillars of the Pritikin ICR Program

Regular Exercise:

Improved cardiovascular endurance

Increased strength

Improved flexibility

Enhanced overall health

Heart-Healthy Eating

Affordable and satisfying meals

Successful weight management

Label reading guidelines

Simplified cooking and dining out

Healthy Mind-Set

Stress and anxiety management

Communication skills improvement

Effective goal-setting

Smoking cessation.

History of Pritikin

In the 1970s, Nathan Pritikin, an inventor with a passion for nutrition and fitness, began testing his then-revolutionary theory that heart disease could be treated with lifestyle changes. He believed that diet and exercise, not drugs and surgery, should be the first line of defense against cardiovascular disease. Numerous studies have documented the Pritikin program’s ability to lower blood cholesterol levels, improve blood pressure, control blood sugar, and reduce other lifestyle-related risk factors

Benefits of Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation:

*Data based on averages in studies. For more information, ask us.

Decreased LDL cholesterol by 23% and reduced triglycerides by 33%

Chronic Inflammation reduction (C-reactive protein) by 40% in 2-3 weeks

Fasting glucose among Type 2 Diabetics decreases 19% within 3 weeks

Systolic and diastolic blood pressures falls 9% within 3 weeks-program reduces or eliminates need for blood pressure medications

Overweight adults lose 7-11 lbs within 3 weeks

68% adults eliminated angina, and were angina-free five years later

Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Qualifications:

No time limit

Coronary artery bypass surgery
Current stable angina pectoris
Heart valve repair or replacement
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty/stenting
Heart or heart-lung transplant
Chronic heart failure ****

Within the preceding 12 months

Acute myocardial infarction

Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation has been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Ask your Insurance provider about eligibility for our ICR program.