Vim & Vigor - Summer 2011 - Community Healthcare - (Page 53)

How Cardiac Rehab Works After his bypass surgery in July 2009, East Chicago resident Fred Vasquez, 59, was able to continue on a healthier path with the help of the cardiac rehabilitation department at St. Catherine Hospital. Cardiac rehabilitation is a program that combines cardiovascular conditioning exercise with education and counseling to make lifestyle changes necessary to reduce the risk of heart disease or slow its progression. It is offered both in the hospital setting and on an outpatient basis. Vasquez was enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation while still a patient at St. Catherine Hospital. After discharge, he returned on an outpatient basis two or three times per week through cardiac rehabilitation at Millennium. The program provides support and expertise of specially trained cardiac nurses and exercise physiologists. This team works together with an individual’s cardiologist and primary care doctor to customize a therapy plan. Sessions include exercise and education to help patients like Vasquez reduce medications, improve physical fitness, prevent risk of future heart conditions, lower blood pressure and return to normal activities quicker. “They motivate me and provide educational materials about my medications, my heart and nutrition,” he says. “Anytime I have questions about anything, the staff will provide an answer right away. If they don’t know, they’ll find out and get right back to me. That’s how they treat all their patients—they’re friendly and show they really care. “They helped me create a workout that works best for me,” Vasquez says. “They’re there to guide you and make you feel good!” erc ise sp ec ial ist (ri ght) vis its with ex tie nt Fre d Va sq ue z Pa in th e Ca rd iac ft) after a worko ut Ge orge Ma rti ne z (le ne Ho sp ita l. r at St. Cath eri Re ha bil itation Ce nte Plaque buildup is a result of lifestyle and other coronary risk factors, including diets high in saturated fat and cholesterol content, physical inactivity, smoking, stress, high blood pressure and diabetes. “We give our patients the conﬁdence to go on and live their lives with a healthier future,” Blakeman says. CALL Cardiac rehabilitation incorporates education and supervised exercise to help safeguard the health of heart patients. If you have heart disease, talk to your doctor about cardiac rehabilitation. To find out how our cardiac rehabilitation specialists can custom-design a plan to meet your needs, call St. Catherine Hospital, 219-392-7100. Custom-Designed Plan for You Vim & Vigor · SUMM ER 2011 53

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Summer 2011 - Community Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2011 - Community Healthcare
Contents
Community Message
When Stroke Strikes, Seconds Count
Rays of Hope Fight Cancer
Girl Talk
Say What?
Action Plan
Like This? Try That!
Being George Clooney
A Day in the Life of Your Heart
Unexpected Heroes
Get in Gear
A Real Lifesaver
A Real Lifesaver
Spotlight on Community Hospital
Spotlight on St. Catherine Hospital
Spotlight on St. Mary Medical Center
A Safer Hospital Stay

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2011 - Community Healthcare