Hospital Services
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac Rehabilitation: The Regional Health Services of Howard
County Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is designed to help those
who want to reduce the risk of heart disease. This includes those
who are prone to heart disease, who have already been diagnosed
with heart disease, or who have been treated for heart disease
either with medication or surgery.
Understanding your heart disease is a major component of the Cardiac
Rehabilitation Program. Various educational sessions are designed
to assist you in this understanding and to help you make the necessary
lifestyle adjustments needed to return to important life activities
as quickly and as safely as possible.
Educational topics covered
include:
- anatomy and physiology;
- risk factor modification;
- nutrition and weight control;
- medications;
- stress
reduction and relaxation;
- exercise.
Goals for the program are to help you:
- Understand heart disease;
- Reduce the risk factors associated with heart disease;
- Learn to recognize angina and respond appropriately;
- Understand the purpose of heart medications, how to take
them, and possible side effects;
- Return you to important life activities as quickly and
safely as possible.
Individualized exercise sessions are another major component of
cardiac rehabilitation. When beginning cardiac rehabilitation,
an individualized exercise prescription is developed specifically
for you. This prescription is written based on the results of a
physician supervised stress test done either on a treadmill or
an exercise bicycle. The exercise sessions are scheduled for two
or three days per week and last approximately 45 to 60 minutes
each.
The session includes flexibility exercises, strengthening exercises,
and aerobic exercises. Your heart rate, blood pressure, and heart
rhythm will be monitored throughout each exercise session. A registered
nurse supervises exercise sessions with an evaluation by a physical
therapist. Appropriate exercise has shown to have positive effects
on improving cholesterol levels, aiding weight control, lowering
blood pressure, and improving the capacity for activity.
In addition to the education and exercise sessions, you will meet
people who have had experiences similar to yours. Many people who
have been diagnosed with heart disease experience fear, depression,
anger, confusion, as well as multiple physical problems. Our staff,
as well as fellow clients, will help you deal with these issues.
It is important to remember that people do survive heart attacks,
leave the hospital, and reconstruct their lives. With help and
hard work, you too can experience a normal lifestyle.
Exercise Stress Testing: An exercise stress test is also called
a stress electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). It records your heart
rhythm while you walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike
while working toward a target heart rate. This test helps your
doctor evaluate the way your heart is functioning and the risk
of a heart attack. It also measures the strength of your heart
after a heart attack or surgery. Cardiac stress testing measures
the strength of your heart, not your athletic ability. All the
data from the stress test, such a blood pressure, heart rate, heart
rhythm and pulse are reviewed. Stress tests are closely monitored
by a physician, Dr. Paul Jensen, registered nurse, Jenny Schriever;
and certified respiratory therapist, Janine Mayer.
Regional Health Services has updated its Cardiac Rehabilitation
Department with the purchase of all new cardiac exercise stress
testing equipment: two new treadmills and a computer console. A
new flat screen television VCR/DVD player have also been installed
for patients to use for education and entertainment while exercising.
Janine Mayer, CRT, Dr. Paul
Jensen, & Jenny
Schriever, RN
Dr. Jensen tested the new equipment out on himself. Small pads
(electrodes) were placed on his upper body to monitor heart rhythm.
Heartbeat and blood pressure are closely monitored during and after
the test. In order to reach his target heart rate, the treadmill “cycled” several
times to higher elevations/grades, making the workout more difficult.
With the updated computer technology now available, a dictated
report is no longer necessary. The computer prints out detailed
information from the test, and a copy is kept in the patient’s
medical record at Regional Health Services. If needed, this report
will be sent on to the client’s cardiologist.
If you would like more information concerning the Cardiac Rehabilitation
Program or Exercise Stress Testing at Regional Health Services
of Howard County, please contact us at (563) 547-2101 and ask for
Cardiac Rehabilitation.
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