Newswise — Tim Russert's tragic death put heart disease back into the forefront. In many cases, fortunately, treatment and lifestyle changes can help people fight and win their struggle. Success stories include David Letterman and Regis Philbin. In Baltimore, Maryland, Northwest Hospital's new Cardiac Rehabilitation Program offers help for individuals, like Letterman and Philbin, with stimulating, do-able plans.
When someone suffers a heart attack or other cardiac events, starting to move around early on is often found to reduce further complications, such developing pulmonary embolisms. However, if a person is doing unsupervised exercise, his or her safety could be compromised. In addition, it is also important to guide an individual toward a complete healthy lifestyle right away.
This is a program that could give hospitals and fitness centers in every area of the country ideas give individuals the tools they need to get and stay heart healthy.
Northwest Hospital's Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase II Program is a 12- week medically supervised exercise program that helps with recovery after a heart attack, angioplasty and/or stenting and open-heart surgery. It is also beneficial for patients who suffer from stable angina pectoris. The Northwest Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Program puts skilled specialists with different areas of expertise in one location. Right away, this saves participants time and stress because they can get advice, learn ideas and do exercise conveniently all in one place.
Program participants receive a customized exercise program, social support and education about lifestyle changes designed to help reduce risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.
While many people know that exercise is crucial in fighting heart disease, every person has his or her individualized needs. Some are physically fit, some can only put so much stress on their heart and others are beginners. That's why it's so important to work with experts to set up the right program. It should also be monitored for changes, as the person's needs change.
Social support is also a wonderful way to heal. Being with people who know what someone is going through now and what he or she will be going through in the future can help with the emotional scars that go along with the actual heart challenges.
Education about changing lifestyles is also vital. Education is the key to helping participants keep on the right road for the long term, not just for a short time. Showing people that eating healthy can be delicious, as well as nutritious is a big part of the battle. Northwest's Cardiac Rehabilitation program shares recipes of everything from smoothies to main meals to desserts.
At Northwest Hospital, we offer expert staff including nurses, fitness technicians and medical supervision, an onsite dietitian for nutritional counseling.
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