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.

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Ways to Help

At this difficult time, leaders and staff at Southwestern Vermont Health Care appreciate support from our communities. There are three major ways for members of the community to help front-line staff in their efforts to save lives.


Donate Funds
If you are able, donating money to the Southwestern Vermont Health Care Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund is the most beneficial way to ensure staff have the vital equipment they need. The COVID-19 Relief Fund will be used to create additional negative pressure rooms; purchase life-saving supplies, such as ventilators, respirators, additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); implement a surge plan to expand patient care areas, including an off-site Respiratory Evaluation Center (REC); support of employees in distress; meet the need for assistance among patients and our communities. And now the CARES Act makes donating to non-profits more beneficial financially. Donations may be made online at svhealthcare.org/give-now.


Send Food to Staff
SVMC deployed an online tool to facilitate community members sending meals to front-line staff during the COVID-19 crisis. Community members can visit mealtrain.com/trains/v1w8yz and volunteer to purchase a meal for as few as two staff members or as many as 25. All recommended restaurants will make no-contact deliveries to SVMC in Bennington, the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington, and the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Hoosick Falls, NY.

 

Donate Personal Protective Equipment
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center is requesting the community to assist with donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The hospital currently needs the following PPE: N95 Masks, typically found in industrial businesses and home workshops; Nitrile gloves in all sizes; home-sewn cotton masks; and home-sewn cloth surgical caps, known also as scrub caps and skull caps. PPE donations are accepted through Catherine Hagadorn, program coordinator for the Quality, Safety, and Value Department, by e-mailing Catherine.Hagadorn@svhealthcare.org or calling 802-447-5600.

 

SVHC's medical team and essential staff are extremely grateful to the community for every contribution. Thank you! 

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