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| Building Strong Heart After Surgery Takes Team Effort |
SMMC Celebrates Cardiac Rehabilitation Week: February 14 – 21
YORK COUNTY, MAINE – Describing herself as a formerly “reluctant patient,” Mrs. Edna Vinagro, a Kennebunk resident, cannot say enough about the staff of Southern Maine Medical Center’s (SMMC) Cardiac Rehabilitation program. She finds that the “friendly, outgoing and genuine group treats you like a person, not a heart attack. Since they’re as nice as they are, you have fun and don’t realize how hard you’re working.” Vinagro started the program in November, and reports she enjoyed it from the start. She is also exercising at home, and adds, “I’m 74, so I’m not going to start giving up my favorite foods now, but I do pay attention to what I eat.”
Biddeford native David Boudreau didn’t expect at 50 to need cardiac rehab, but an unexpected heart surgery changed his plans. In the three months since his surgery, Boudreau reports that he’s had a “whole new change of life.” Boudreau had always been an athlete, so he really enjoys his visits to the Joseph A. and Anna Marie Petrin Cardiopulmonary Gym at SMMC. Like Vinagro, he finds the program’s camaraderie a motivator. “This is the most pleasant group to be around, and people in the program have been through what you have – so they understand. It’s like a counseling session!” A big change for Boudreau is that he sees nutrition very differently. “I look at labels now, and understand what’s important. Sodium? I had no idea before.” Boudreau is feeling healthier, and knows that the rehabilitation work he’s doing now can extend his life. “I take it day by day,” said Boudreau, “and I’m more aware of my health. It’s amazing what you can learn in a short period of time.”
According to the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, studies show that for every patient like Vinagro and Boudreau who participated in cardiac rehab after a heart attack or bypass surgery, there are four others who do not. Comprehensive cardiac rehab has been shown to reduce re-hospitalization rates and recurrent sudden cardiac death, lessen the need for cardiac medications, and increase the rate of return to work for the over 100,000 Americans who take part in such programs each year.
Appropriately, Valentine’s Day is the start of Cardiac Rehabilitation Week across the country. This special week focuses on cardiac rehab’s contribution to improving the health and physical performance of those at risk for heart disease and those living with a heart condition
The Cardiac Rehabilitation program at SMMC provides medically supervised and monitored exercise, education, and support designed to guide patients through the recovery process following a heart attack or other cardiac problem. A plan is created for each patient based on their specific health situations and goals. Working together, cardiologists, exercise physiologists and nurses ensure participants can confidently increase activity. In addition to exercise, patients learn about a heart-healthy lifestyle and receive support to change unhealthy habits. A complete educational program accompanies the monitored exercise with topics including: heart disease, physical activity, blood pressure, cholesterol, medications and nutrition.
SMMC’s Cardiopulmonary Wellness Center opened last summer and includes the Joseph A. and Anna Marie Petrin Cardiopulmonary Gym, which boasts the latest in exercise equipment, locker rooms and consultation rooms. The addition nearly triples the size of the previous space, enabling SMMC to accommodate over 300 patient visits per week, up from its previous capacity of about 85 per week.
Southern Maine Medical Center (SMMC) is a national award-winning medical center offering excellent clinical care that is also compassionate and attentive to each patient's individual needs. In conjunction with a medical staff of over 200 highly-skilled physicians, SMMC offers Maine's newest state-of-the-art emergency and fast track care as well as a full range of inpatient and outpatient services at its 150-bed acute care medical center located just off Exit 32 of I-95 in Biddeford. Additionally, SMMC's physician services offer high quality medical care at physician offices located in Biddeford, Kennebunk, Old Orchard Beach, Saco and Sanford; a full range of outpatient services at its diagnostic and therapy centers in Saco, Kennebunk, and Biddeford. SMMC also offers superior home nursing care through affiliate SMMC Visiting Nurses. SMMC is Joint Commission accredited, state-licensed, and a member of MaineHealth. To find a physician associated with SMMC, go to www.smmc.org/medstaff. |
 Return to the SMMC Visiting Nurses News and Events Index |
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