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TOMS RIVER, NJ, SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 – Everyone knows that a healthy diet and regular exercise are the most important components to maintaining good heart health. Afterall, you only have one heart and keeping it healthy is a life-long process. But what about patients who suffer a cardiac event and want to improve or regain their heart health? At Community Medical Center, cardiac rehabilitation aims to do just that.
The Cardiac Rehabilitation outpatient program at Community Medical Center combines the latest concepts of cardiovascular rehabilitation, optimizing the patient’s physical, mental and social abilities, explains Kathy Moellering, the program’s director.
Cardiac rehabilitation is a three-phase program for patients who have been diagnosed with stable angina, or who have had a heart attack, bypass surgery, heart valve repair or replacement, heart transplant, angioplasty or coronary stenting.
Moellering said Phase I of the program occurs while the patient is still in the hospital recovering from a coronary event. “The rehab in the early days is more educational than physical,” she says.
During Phase II, patients learn how to live with a heart ailment. The emphasis is on conditioning the heart by strengthening it through exercise.
“Patients participate in a medically-supervised up to 12-week exercise and rehabilitation program under the direct supervision of an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses and dieticians,” says Moellering. Phase III is maintenance. “Graduates of Phase II may elect to participate in a self-monitored maintenance program,” she says.
“Overall, the mission of our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is to enable patients to regain their health, independence and overall well-being through a medically supervised regimen,” Moellering says. “Our specially trained cardiology professionals provide education on nutrition, stress management, medications and heart disease. We also offer patients and families counseling and support to help them succeed in attaining a healthier, active lifestyle.”
To learn more about Community Medical Center’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program, call the cardiac rehabilitation nurses at (732) 557-2524.
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