Close to the Heart – and Lungs

The heart and lungs are life-sustaining organs, and when something goes wrong with them it can dramatically impact a person’s quality of life. Methodist Medical Center offers rehabilitation services accredited by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, helping patients’ get back on track.

Rehabilitation helps lung and heart patients begin their recovery journey with a multidisciplinary approach that includes:

◾Education

◾Regularly monitored exercise

◾Risk identification

◾Individualized programs

Methodist’s Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation programs are tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual patient. Through exercise and education, patients learn how to manage the daily limitations faced when dealing with chronic heart or lung disease.

Rehab staff work with the patient’s doctor to develop a plan of care with plenty of input from the patient. The cardiologist or pulmonologist, nurse educators, dietitians, exercise rehab specialists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and mental health professionals call all be brought into the process as needed.

Joining forces and working as a team sets the patient up for success with rehab goals that are attainable and that really do make a difference. The end goal is to help patients gain knowledge, strength and endurance in a medically supervised environment.

How It Works

Each patient undergoes a thorough medical assessment to identify medical limitations, any other existing health problems and how much the patient is physically capable of doing. The medical assessment also includes an evaluation of a patient’s risk factors such as high blood pressure, a high fat diet, smoking and other conditions that lead to cardiovascular disease.

Monitored exercise improves a patient’s ability to manage chronic heart and lung illnesses through activities like walking on a treadmill, using a stationary bike and other aerobic exercise. Trained medical professionals are always on hand during the rehab process.

Through education, patients learn about the lifestyle changes needed to maintain an optimal state of health and well-being. The patient and family can learn about the patient’s disease, about the exercises that build strength and endurance and counseling options.

There’s also straight talk about how lifestyle choices like diet and smoking affect a person’s health.

Patients learn to minimize risk factors through classes, which include stress management, proper use of medications and sensible nutrition. If needed, patients also receive guidance on smoking cessation and other choices that affect their heart health.

Support System

It’s not uncommon for patients to experience anxiety and depression after having a heart attack, or receiving a diagnosis of heart and lung disease. Methodist Medical Center’s Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program helps these patients find ways to cope and rebuild their lives, giving them opportunities to meet others who are sharing the same experiences, concerns and triumphs.

While there are many success stories from cardiopulmonary rehab patients, not everyone will benefit from it. For that reason, a physician referral and medical evaluation is needed before a patient may participate in cardiac rehab. To find out if cardiopulmonary rehab is right for you, or for more information, call (865) 835-5235.