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
1148

Theme picker


 

 

 

A Very Unusual Road Race

Matthew Vernon, MD, radiation oncologist at the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center, and his wife Elisa Donato love running road races. In just the last 2 years, the couple has completed one full marathon, nearly 30 half marathons, and a generous sprinkling of races of other distances. They love to get the finisher medals at the ends of their races and take great pride in their extensive collection of them.

In February, they set out on a trip to run a 20-mile trail race up and down a volcano on an island in shark-filled Lake Nicaragua. And they thought that race would be their most unique of the year.

Matt and Elisa were training for their second full marathon, scheduled for April 26th in New Jersey, when COVID-19 hit.

"Of course the race was canceled," Dr. Vernon remembers. "But we couldn't be marathon-ready and not run." They had toyed with the idea of organizing a race of their own, so this seemed like the time to do it.

That is how the COVID Bridges Marathon/Half Marathon/10K/5K/AnyK was born. (The name is a quippy take on the popular Covered Bridges Half Marathon that happens in Woodstock, VT, each year. And yes, their marathon course also included covered bridges.)

Once the name stuck, they designed and ordered a finisher medal for everyone who signed up.

And as long as they were going to the trouble to start a virtual/distanced road race in the middle of a pandemic, why not raise some money, too? They started a Facebook group and a GoFundMe page, set a goal of $1,000, and designated the Cancer Center as the recipient. They recommended an entry fee of $10 per person, and lots of people signed up, including many colleagues from Southwestern Vermont Health Care.

"We were originally going to pick April 26, the same day as our marathon, but we thought we had a better chance for good weather in May," Dr. Vernon shared. They picked May 9. That day turned out to include heavy snow.

As a virtual race, however, they clarified that the run could occur at the time of the participant’s choosing, over the course of their choosing, of any distance. A few even bicycled in place of running. Many participants brought their kids along.

The event raised $1,045 for the Cancer Center. And people had a good time bonding over running and walking during this unusual time.

"In the end it was a great experience," Dr. Vernon said. "We had a blast, inspired some people to get out of the house, and raised some money for a good cause. And those medals will certainly inspire unique feelings when we see them hanging there among our collection."

 

Theme picker


Theme picker


Theme picker


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