Give Your Heart a Break This Month

February 9th-15th is Cardiac Rehabilitation Week
By Sharan Mahal, M.D., Board-Certified Cardiologist at Somerset Medical Center

February is a busy month for your heart. Not only is it the host of Valentine’s Day, a holiday in which our hearts are the main focus, but it is also American Heart Month. As we step into a month filled with information primarily based on cardiac health and heart disease prevention, it is also important to recognize the recovery process after suffering from a heart-related condition.  This week, February 9 through February 15, is Cardiac Rehabilitation Week and I encourage you to become further educated on this process to help reduce the effects of heart disease in America. 

Building a healthier future is a partnership between you and the healthcare professionals who can help you change your health habits. You can play an active role in making these changes by enrolling in a cardiac rehabilitation program. Cardiac rehabilitation is highly recommended for those who have suffered from heart attack, have had heart procedures or surgeries, or suffer from conditions such as coronary artery disease, angina, or heart failure.  The first three or four stages of cardiac rehabilitation typically last anywhere from three-six months, however, it is a lifelong maintenance program. Many who have endured a heart condition may be reluctant to join a cardiac rehab program, but knowing what to expect can help to ease any uncertainties. Here is what you can generally expect when enrolling in a cardiac rehabilitation program:

·         Phase I: This phase typically starts in the hospital, where a physician can assess your risk-factors and monitor progress. Each patient is provided with a customized program of non-strenuous activities which may include range-of-motion exercises and self-care, such as shaving. Once comfortable, the next step would be walking and limited stair climbing. The goal of this phase is to engage in the motions you will need once out of the hospital.

·         Phase II: During this phase, participants will meet in an outpatient setting to gradually increase activity level. This phase is structured and medically supervised by registered nurses and exercise physiologists.  Patients may also receive services such as nutritional counseling, smoking cessation and stress management.  Each session lasts about one hour, half of which includes an exercise period. Throughout each session, a patient’s ECG levels are monitored and the exercises are adjusted regularly based on their heart-rate performance. During this phase, your activity levels will be gradually increased under close supervision by your team. You will also be further educated on eating a heart-healthy diet, quitting smoking, resuming sexual activity and finding support.  For specific information on the cardiac rehabilitation services offered at Somerset Medical Center, please visit http://bit.ly/1cbVYYM/.

·         Phase III/IV: This is also known as a long-term maintenance program and is something to be followed for the rest of your life. Some patients with specific health concerns will require an extra phase that includes less-intense monitoring and continued supervised exercise. If not, you will have most likely developed your own exercise routine at home or at a local gym.  Education and counseling will continue as you make your exercise and lifestyle changes into lifelong habits.

·         Results: After participating in this type of program, you will have gained strength, learned heart-healthy behaviors and eliminated bad habits. Some of the most valuable benefits of cardiac rehabilitation are often an improvement in quality of life and a decreased risk of developing any other heart conditions. If you stick to your program, there’s a good chance you’ll come out of it feeling back to normal and most likely, better than before.

Enrolling in a cardiac rehabilitation program is essential in recovering from a heart-related condition. In honor of Cardiac Rehabilitation Week, I encourage you to continue educating yourself on this topic.  If you think you may be at risk for heart disease, contact your physician or attend a cholesterol and blood pressure screening by visiting http://bit.ly/1dSEGpf.