Providing assistance after heart trauma

After the initial shock and scare of a heart attack, most patients are highly motivated to adjust their lifestyle and get on a healthy track.

However, it’s easy to let that motivation ebb away without accountability and guidance. Because the risk of further heart problems goes up exponentially with each heart issue, it’s vital to invest in one’s body and get the help one needs to avoid recurring problems.

At Willis-Knighton Health System, they have created rehabilitation programs to take the guesswork out of getting the body back on course, and they provide a team of experts equipped to see you through from Day 1 to years of healthy maintenance.

Their system for cardiac rehabilitation is broken down into three phases; inpatient, outpatient and maintenance. During the inpatient phase, patients are closely monitored following surgery or treatment and given assistance in range of motion exercises and walking the halls to get their strength and con dence built up. This phase also includes assessment and education from physicians and nurses to give each patient a clear perspective on where they are physically and what steps are needed to correct their disease.

The second phase, outpatient rehab, takes place in one of three WK Fitness and Wellness Center locations, and this is where the rubber meets the road.

After giving the patient a week or so at home to recuperate, a team of doctors, exercise specialists and dieticians create an individualized plan for each patient to get their body in ghting shape and instigate a healthy lifestyle to prevent future problems. Jarrod Mitchell, the cardiac rehab coordinator for WK said, “There is no one-size- ts-all recovery program for heart issues. We strive to meet each patient’s speci c needs and tailor a program that works for them.”

The team begins by setting personalized goals with each patient according to their lifestyle; whether it’s encouraging cessation of tobacco product use, setting a weight-loss goal, or simply creating a healthier lifestyle pattern by incorporating better habits. Each patient also consults with a dietician, who provides key information on proper nutrition and coaches patients in meal planning and preparation. This is a great way for spouses to get involved; by teaming up, families not only have a better success rate for instilling healthy habits, but it’s also a great avenue to show the support patients are looking for from their loved ones.

Another important aspect of recovery the wellness centers provide is a range of support groups, particularly for women in recovery. Emotional support following a life-changing health event is extremely important, and because women often ll the roles of “helper” and “support” in the family, they can be left feeling alone and emotionally vulnerable when they need support themselves. The groups offer a safe place to recuperate emotionally while being challenged physically and help both men and women reach their goals and move forward restored, inside and out.

The third and nal step of WK’s cardiac rehabilitation is the maintenance phase in which patients transition from the intensive rehab regimen to a lifetime plan that sustains heart health and habits instilled through exercise, diet improvement and emotional growth.

Over the course of several months, patients are enrolled in a wellness center and set up to maintain health standards on their own, while still gaining access to the experts on the WK Wellness Centers’ staff. Mitchell said, “Our cardiac rehab programs help patients bounce back from heart problems physically and emotionally. We provide peace of mind and con dence in dealing with heart disease.”

For more information, contact Mitchell at 212-4450.

– Kayleigh Plette

SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK FOR WOMEN

Although heart disease is still sometimes thought of as a men’s health issue, more women than men die each year due to heart problems. Take note of the following indicators; the ability to recognize the symptoms as they manifest in women could save one’s life.

» Neck, shoulder, upper back, abdominal or jaw discomfort
» Shortness of breath or recurring pressure in the center of the chest
» Nausea or vomiting
» Profuse sweating
» Lightheadedness or dizziness
» Unusual fatigue