For the Tomahawk Leader
TOMAHAWK – Aspirus Health this week provided information on cardiac rehabilitation.
“To improve your health and quality of life, you’ll probably have to learn new ways to cook, eat, exercise and live,” Aspirus stated in a release. “Cardiac rehabilitation is an excellent place to find both the information and inspiration you need.”
“Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised program that is meant to reduce the chance of future problems – a heart attack or return to the hospital, for example – and help you live life to its fullest,” said Ashley Stanek, Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinical Program Coordinator for Aspirus Health in Tomahawk, Rhinelander, Woodruff and Eagle River.
Stanek said cardiac rehab helps men and women of all ages.
“Studies have documented that cardiac rehab programs can help heart patients who are older than 75, just as much as they help younger patients,” Aspirus stated.
According to the American Heart Association, cardiac rehab can help people who have or have had:
- A heart attack
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart failure
- Angina (chest pain caused by the heart not getting enough oxygen)
- A heart procedure, such as a balloon angioplasty or a pacemaker implant
- Heart surgery, such as a bypass operation or valve replacement
“The rehab team will evaluate your overall health, lifestyle, medical conditions and limitations, then they’ll tailor a program just for you,” Stanek said. “This could include working with a nutritionist to set up a heart-healthy eating plan, learning how to exercise safely by possibly using a treadmill, bike, rowing machine, track or weight machines.”
Aspirus noted that other important aspects of a cardiac rehab program include learning how to control chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure; reducing stress; learning about the proper use of medication; quitting smoking; and losing weight.
“Cardiac rehab also is a place to find help for the emotional upheaval that is common after heart surgery or heart problems,” Stanek stated. “Depression, anxiety and anger shouldn’t be ignored. They can affect you physically and keep you from recovering.”
To learn more about the Aspirus Health cardiac rehab programs, visit www.aspirus.org/cardiac-rehab.