If you have recently been diagnosed with heart disease, you may feel confused, anxious or even angry. The good news is that with a cardiac rehabilitation program you don't have to wage the battle against heart disease alone. Your physician can tell you if a referral to a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program would be appropriate for you.

How Cardiac Rehabilitation helps

Cardiac rehabilitation helps heart patients of any age or gender recover, resume normal activities, and reduce the chance of further heart problems. These programs involve medically supervised exercise, diet modification, stress reduction, smoking cessation, medication management, and learning how to recognize chest pain.

Who can benefit?

People who have had angina, heart failure, a heart attack, angioplasty, heart bypass or valve surgery, or even a heart transplant will feel better and get stronger. They also learn to reduce stress and lower the risk of further heart problems. Patients involved in a cardiac rehabilitation program reduce their risk of future heart problems and increase their life expectancy.

Why surgery and medication aren't enough

Medication and surgical procedures alone do not cure heart disease. Without important lifestyle changes, arteries will become clogged again, leading to further heart damage. "Surgeries do not end the problem," explains Lynn Olison, Ph.D., Cardiac Rehabilitation Supervisor at John Muir Medical Center, Concord Campus. "They correct the lack of circulation initially, but the problem will return if the life-style behaviors don't change." Many believe that after a cardiac procedure or surgery, they are cured. They feel much better because the heart is receiving more oxygen. But heart disease can be chronic and progressive. Eight to 10 years after bypass surgery, blockages tend to return. Changing lifestyle behaviors can really prolong the life of the bypass or the angioplasty - and the patient. It's never too late to make dietary improvements and to exercise regularly. You'll feel better right away, according to Olison.

Knowing what's safe

Perhaps the greatest hurdle a heart patient faces is fear. "Patients who have had a heart procedure are typically afraid," says Olison. "They don't know how much they can do or what their limits are with exercising or with going back to work. In a medically supervised program, they have health care professionals helping them to recognize limits and set goals. They are able to see clear progress, and this boosts their confidence."

How cardiac rehabilitation is beneficial

Cardiac rehabilitation patients work with a cardiac nurse and an exercise physiologist. Heart rate and blood pressure are monitored before, during and after exercise. Exercise sessions include several components: warm-up and cool- down stretching for flexibility; aerobic exercise on treadmills, exercise bikes, stairsteps, and rowing machines to help the heart use oxygen more efficiently and improve blood flow; and resistance training to increase strength and stamina. Exercising helps heart patients return more quickly to their normal activities. Exercise tones muscles, raises energy levels, helps fight depression, and strengthens the heart. Cardiac rehabilitation also provides a peer support group. "People who come into cardiac rehab usually have a lot of anxiety about their heart disease," explains Lori Turner, R.N., Manager of Cardiac Education and Rehabilitation at John Muir Medical Center. "When they come in to exercise, they talk to each other. Besides the exercising and education, another vital aspect of the program is the support patients get from each other."

The importance of dietary changes

Eating right helps heart patients lower their cholesterol levels, lose weight, control blood pressure, and increase their energy. Turner recommends a low saturated fat, high-fiber diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and grains, as well as fish several times a week. Nutrition education includes classes in heart-healthy eating taught by a registered dietitian, as well as individualized nutrition analyses and recommendations.

Learning stress management

Stress management helps cardiac patients lower their blood pressure and heart rate, which can prevent further damage to the arteries. "We always tell people that it's very individual with stress. They have to find something that they really like to do and will do regularly. There are several options in the stress management area. Biofeedback, simple meditation, yoga, or group classes where people learn to change their reactions to stress can all lead to a calmer outlook and better heart health," Turner concludes.

Healthy Happenings Cardiac Rehabilitation

This medically supervised program helps improve cardiovascular fitness and awareness in those who have heart or blood vessel disease, and helps individuals who are at high risk of developing circulatory disease. Offered at several locations.

Cardiac Education Series is designed for those who have been treated for coronary artery disease with angioplasty or for other invasive coronary disease. This course addresses coronary artery disease, treatment and risk factor modification. Patients and family members are welcome.

For information and schedules, call: John Muir Medical Center, Concord Campus (925) 674-2200 John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus (925) 947-5254. For a free brochure describing other cardiac care programs within John Muir Health, call (925) 947-5384.