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Lakewood, NJ ---- Managing heart disease can mean a significant life change for many individuals. For those who have experienced a recent heart attack, heart surgery or are coping with other heart problems, cardiac rehabilitation is often an integral part of the aftercare plan.
“Cardiac rehabilitation helps patients to regain their health, independence and overall well-being through a medically-supervised regimen,” explains Peggy Burns, RN, Director of Non-Invasive Cardiology at Kimball Medical Center. “At Kimball, we provide each patient with a personalized exercise program and heart-smart lifestyle changes to help patients regain their strength, prevent their condition from worsening, and reduce risk of future heart problems.”
While many people associate cardiac rehabilitation with exercise, the program reaches far beyond the advantages of a gym. Cardiac Rehabilitation at Kimball offers patients an educational and supportive program in addition to a cardiovascular workout monitored by trained medical professionals. Cardiologists, including Medical Director, Moshe Bacharach, MD, primary care physicians, certified dieticians, and Advance Cardiac Life Support-certified registered nurses comprise the Kimball team dedicated to heart health.
According to Burns, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program consists of the following:
- Physical Activity: An individualized program based on exercise stress test results, medical history, exercise capacity and a physician’s prescription. The cardiac rehabilitation team tailor’s each program so that it is safe and moves at a comfortable pace for each individual. Maximum results are achieved by exercising two to three times a week. During exercise, heart rates and rhythms are continuously monitored. Intermittent blood pressure readings are obtained, and oxygen saturation levels are measured if indicated.
- Education: Support and education focusing on making lifestyle changes and breaking unhealthy habits. Ongoing group education addresses topics such as nutrition, stress management, medications, diabetes and home exercise.
- Counseling and Support: Adjusting to a serious health problem often takes time. Guidance is available to assist patients and their family members in attaining a more healthy and active lifestyle.
“Cardiac rehabilitation can reduce the risk of death and future cardiac events, and may improve physical strength and endurance. Program participation may also have many other positive effects on overall health,” explains Burns. “Cardiac rehabilitation may improve the efficiency of the heart muscle as a pump, and enhance the sense of well-being and self-confidence,” she said.
The cardiac rehabilitation team also works with each patient to identify poor health habits and individual cardiac risk factors. This enables them to offer alternative lifestyle modifications to help patients achieve a better quality of life, and a healthier heart.
For more information about the cardiac rehabilitation program at Kimball Medical Center, please call the Saint Barnabas Health Care Link at 1-888-SBHS-123 (888-724-7123).
Date: February 23, 2009
CONTACT: Carrie Cristello
Director, Public Relations
732-923-6552
ccristello@sbhcs.com
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