Heart disease is a very serious silent killer in the United States. According to the CDC, one person dies every 36 seconds from cardiovascular disease. About 655,000 Americans die from heart disease each year. Fortunately, with the right medical team on your side this can be prevented.
Did you know that The Selfhelp Home is now offering a Heart Health Rehabilitation Program at our Health & Rehabilitation Center? We have collaborated with respected cardiologist, Dr. Joel Okner, to offer a comprehensive Heart Health Rehabilitation Program.
With the innovative combination of Dr. Okner’s onsite expertise and this medically supervised program, we will help you reach your heart health goals. Our unique program consists of monitoring, a regular exercise program including counseling and training, education for heart healthy living and reducing stress.
You don’t need to face your condition alone. Cardiac rehab is a team effort. You’ll partner with doctors, nurses, pharmacists – plus family and friends – to take charge of the choices, lifestyle and habits that affect your heart.
Let’s start with a few important facts about cardiac care:
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Cardiac rehabilitation saves lives. It has been shown to substantially reduce the risk of death for individuals who have received a qualifying diagnosis or cardiac procedure. An optimal cardiac rehab experience consists of 36 one-hour sessions that include team-based supervised exercise training, education and skills development for heart-healthy living, and counseling on stress and other psychosocial factors (Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2016).
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Only a portion of eligible patients participate in cardiac rehabilitation, even after being referred. There are steps that health care teams, referred patients, and the patients’ family members can take to ensure a referral results in enrollment and continued participation. Women, minorities, older people, and people with other medical conditions are less likely to be referred to cardiac rehabilitation than other groups.
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A strong recommendation by the patient’s physician can greatly increase the likelihood of participation. Health care professionals can improve cardiac rehabilitation participation by reinforcing the physician’s recommendation, identifying and referring eligible patients, implementing automatic referrals in order sets, and following up with referred patients after discharge to ensure enrollment.
How do I know if I’m a candidate (or my loved one) for the Heart Health Rehabilitation Program at Selfhelp?
Strong evidence shows that cardiac rehab programs can benefit individuals who have:
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Had a heart attack.
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Stable angina.
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Received a stent or angioplasty.
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Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
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Undergone a bypass, valve, or heart or heart-lung transplant surgery.
Check with your medical team and insurer to determine if cardiac rehab is covered under your insurance plan.
What are the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation?
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Individuals who attend 36 sessions have a 47% lower risk of death and a 31% lower risk of heart attack than those who attend only 1 session.
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Cardiac rehab participation improves functional status, quality of life, mood, and medication adherence (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016).
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Participation in a cardiac rehab program can reduce the risks of death from any cause and from cardiac causes as well as decrease hospital readmissions.
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People who attend cardiac rehabilitation programs live longer and are less likely to have a heart attack. Cardiac rehabilitation reduces the chances of being rehospitalized, helps patients recover strength, and builds skills in managing medications and activities. Participants in cardiac rehabilitation are less likely to feel depressed.
What can I expect from a cardiac care rehab program?
Many people find that rehab programs are very helpful after getting out of a hospital. They allow people to join a group to exercise and to get special help in making lifestyle changes. A cardiac rehab program usually includes 36 sessions over 12 weeks, but it can vary depending on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations. (Heart.Org)
During rehab, you will experience the following:
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Have a medical evaluation to figure out your needs and limitations. The medical staff then tailors a program to your needs.
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Exercise on a treadmill, bike, rowing machine or walking/jogging track.
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Be monitored by a nurse or another health care professional for a change in symptoms.
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Follow a safe physical activity program that gradually improves your strength.
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Slowly move into a more intensive program that lets you work longer and harder. Begin strength training, if your doctor says you can.
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Have your heart rate, blood pressure and EKG monitored.
