Recover Stronger: Cardiac Rehab After a Heart Event
Courtney Carter
/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2024

Recover Stronger: Cardiac Rehab After a Heart Event

The days and weeks following a cardiac event or surgery can be challenging. It’s normal to feel nervous about leaving the watchful eye of your care team and returning home. You no doubt feel like you have more questions than answers. The biggest and most common question is ‘how do I avoid another event or surgery?’

While many factors play into the answer, one consistent element is cardiac rehab.

A comprehensive program designed to help people recover from heart conditions and improve cardiovascular health, CR has been proven to reduces the risk of a future cardiac event and can reverse the progression of heart disease.

Here are just a few of the demonstrated benefits:

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) is home to the only cardiac rehab program in southern Vermont. Certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, CR is recommended for anyone who has experienced a heart problem, such as a heart attack, angina, heart failure, or heart surgery.

The 12-week medically supervised program begins with an assessment of your physical health, stamina, and emotional well-being, plus a review of your lifestyle and habits. Programs are tailored to each patient’s needs and designed to strengthen the heart, address risk factors that may hinder progress, and develop new habits to improve heart health.

By the end of the program, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to maintain a healthier lifestyle and live confidently with your condition.

 

Patricia Ryan, RN, MSN, CCRP, is the cardiac rehabilitation program coordinator at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.

Print
2038

Theme picker

MORE NEWS

 

 

 

COVID-19 in Pets

News of COVID-19 spreading to animals is causing understandable concern for pet owners, especially those who love their pets like family. While the virus is thought to have originated in animals, there is currently no evidence that pets can spread COVID-19 to humans. There is some evidence that people can spread it to their pets and pets can spread it to each other.

The good news is that the risk of spreading COVID-19 to pets still seems relatively low. Only a handful of confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been identified in animals worldwide. Nonetheless, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with their veterinary colleagues to learn more. In the meantime, it makes sense to adapt the people-centered recommendations for our furry friends.

Here's a pet-specific refresher to help further decrease the already low odds that your pet will become infected.

  • Just like people, cats and dogs should decrease their movement outside the home. So if you usually let your dog or cat roam in ways that could bring them into contact with other people or animals, it would be best to discontinue that practice for as long as human restrictions are in place.
  • When you take your dog for a walk, keep him or her leashed and keep at least 6 feet from others whenever possible. (Dogs cannot wear masks comfortably as humans can, so remaining distant is even more important for them.)
  • If someone in the house is ill, they should be isolated from both other people and animals in a "sick room," if possible. The ill person should wear a mask when near the pet and others and avoid direct contact, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, sleeping in the same location, and sharing food or bedding.
  • To keep pets and themselves safe, people should wash their hands before and after handling or caring for their pets, just as they would after having come in contact with another person or a surface that a person could have touched.
  • If your pet becomes ill with COVID-19 symptoms—including coughing, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, lethargy, sneezing, nasal discharge, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever—call your veterinarian, who will advise regarding testing and care and determine whether your state's public health veterinarian should be notified.

More information about protecting your pets from COVID-19, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html.

Donna Barron, RN, is the infection preventionist at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.

Theme picker

MORE NEWS

Theme picker

VIEW ALL

Theme picker

VIEW ALL

Our Services

PARTNERSHIP IS POWERFUL MEDICINE

A commitment to excellence and a patient-centered approach sets Southwestern Vermont Health Care apart.

 Cancer Care
 Orthopedics
 Emergency
 Maternity
 Primary Care
 ExpressCare
 Cardiology
 Rehab & Residential Care
View All Services

Theme picker

Theme picker

Theme picker

Theme picker

Theme picker

VIEW ALL