Advocate Good Shepherd kicks off Cardiac Rehab Week
February 12th to the 18th kicks of Cardiac Rehab Week at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. This awareness event shines light on the AACVPR (American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation) certified program and wonderful rehab staff who run cardiac rehab at Good Shepherd. The hospital has participated in cardiac rehabilitation since 1995. The program consists of monitored exercise, health education and counseling. It is designed for patients with coronary heart disease who have had a heart attack, angioplasty, bypass or valve surgery or other heart problems.
Cardiovascular disease affects over 70 million Americans and is currently the leading cause of death accounting for almost 40 percent of deaths each year. People who have the disease can suffer from stroke, high blood pressure, heart failure and coronary artery disease. Although the disease is life threatening, cardiac pulmonary rehabilitation allows patients to recover from their recent heart problems, rebuild strength and eventually return or start a healthier lifestyle.
Cardiac rehab is more than just an exercise program but a clinical practice tool used to aid in disease management. The program with the patient's input creates a formula for a healthier lifestyle. Doctors refer patients to the program where a team of professionals help them adjust their lifestyle and exercise regimen. Patients are educated in nutritional counseling, risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, elevated cholesterol and diabetes, and are given the tools to continue a healthy lifestyle after graduation . Upon admittance to the program, the staff formulates a personalized exercise prescription, nutrition and medication plan. Patients typically attend rehab three times a week where they are supervised by staff each step of the way.
There are many benefits of participation in cardiac rehab such as improved functional abilities, reduction of lifestyle related risks, increased knowledge of disease process and prevention strategies and improved quality of life. In addition, patients will achieve increased exercise tolerance, increased work capacity of the heart, decreased blood pressure and cholesterol and increased confidence. Most insurance plans cover the rehabilitation program located at Good Shepherd. The goal of cardiac rehab is to collaborate with the patients to make their own healthy choices at home and to provide the tools and motivation to fight and manage this progressive disease.
For more information about Cardiac rehab contact Rosie Jeretina at 847-842-4336.
About Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Advocate Good Shepherd in Barrington, Illinois is a 169-bed acute care hospital with more than 700 physicians representing 50 medical specialties. It is part of Advocate Health Care, named one of the Top Ten hospital systems in the U.S. by Thomson-Reuters. Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital is ranked highest in Illinois for quality and patient safety according to Blue Cross Blue Shield's 2011 Blue Star Report™. Advocate is a faith-based organization that exists to serve its communities. In 2010, Advocate provided more than $474,000,000 in charity care and services to its communities. For more about Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital: www.advocatehealth.com/goodshep