Cardiac Rehabilitation by Rehabilitation Services at MCMH Maine Coast Memorial Hospital The Medical Office Building Suite 2600 50 Union Street Ellsworth, ME 04605 (207) 664-5434 Read May 2008 article... Cardiac Rehabilitation Referral Form Questions regarding Cardiac Rehabilitation? Please call MCMH Cardiac Rehab Department at (207)664-5434 Go Red for Women February is National Heart Month. For more information on Women Heart as well as women’s support group call Betsy at 359-8414 or contact Bernadette at MCMH Cardiac Rehab at 664-5434. MCMH Cardiac Rehab Reunion Celebrates Life About 60 people gathered for the Cardiac Rehab Reunion to celebrate life after recovering from a heart event.   TAKE HEART Heath Education Monthly Class Schedule Tuesdays, 2:00 PM Please call for class confirmation 1st TUESDAY Nutrition, Cholesterol and You Mary Jude, RDLD—Classroom 2nd TUESDAY Heart Disease: Cause, Treatment, & Prevention Bernadette Dempsey, RN, BSN—Classroom 3rd TUESDAY Stress Management Edna Floyd, LSW—Classroom 4th TUESDAY Exercise for a healthy Heart Bernadette Dempsey, RN, BSN—Classroom 5th TUESDAY (when it occurs) Congestive Heart Failure Brenda Duggan—Classroom Classroom in suite #1000 of Medical Office Building with Boardroom next door. Group orientation at 1:PM before every class FREE OF CHARGE For more Information, call 664-5434      •   AmericanHeart.org    •   MedlinePlus.gov    •   Heart Health

• Exercise program three days a week in a medical center environment

• Supervised by Advanced Cardiac Life Support Registered Nurse

• State-of-the-art monitors in a heart-safe environment

• Free weekly education groups

A program that restores stamina and builds confidence. Best of all, it lowers hospital admissions. For more information or an interview, call Bernadette Dempsey, RN, at Maine Coast Memorial Cardiac Rehabilitation 664-5434

Rebuilding Your Life After a Heart Attack or Cardiac Surgery

Each year hundreds of thousands of men and women regain a productive and healthier life after heart attack or cardiac surgery. They do so by committing themselves to a series of progressive exercise and education programs designed to restore their quality of life. These proven programs of recovery are offered in three levels: Phases I-II-III.

About Rehab

Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs offer the following additional benefits:

• Increased independence
• Clear and focused education
• Family education
• A closer relationship with health care team:
  •   Identifies problems earlier
  •   Leads to earlier treatment
  •   Reduces complications

Call 664-5311 Ext 295 or 664-5434 at Maine Coast memorial Hospital Community Outreach Education Department.

Insurance Coverage

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded cardiac rehabilitation coverage and covers cardiac rehab services for patients with the following diagnoses:

• Heart attack or myocardial infarction
• Coronary bypass surgery or CABG
• Stable angina pectoris.
• Heart valve repair or heart valve replacement
• Coronary angioplasty
• Coronary stent(s)
• Heart transplant or combined heart-lung transplant

Private insurance companies most often cover the same diagnoses as CMS(above), but need to be contacted to verify individual policy eligibility and possible co-pays.

F.A.Q

How do I begin to rebuild my life? It all begins with a decision:

• To eliminate unhealthy lifestyle habits "one at a time".
• To relieve stress and worry less.
• To enjoy and appreciate life more.
• To embark on a journey of:
  •   Increased self-discovery
  •   Increased self-appreciation
  •   Increased self-education

How is the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program professionally staffed?
Here is the team break down:

MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Advanced Cardiac Life Support Registered Nurse Educator

Physical Therapist Certified Athletic Trainer Nutritionist Social Worker

When should I join and which phase do I join?

• PHASE I Inpatient Exercise and Education
  •   Patients admitted to MCMH
  •   During and immediately following a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction).
• PHASE II Outpatient Exercise and Education
  •   Patients referred from MCMH
  •   Patients referred from other hospitals/physicians
  •   Requires a physician's referral
  •   Requires a signed consent to participate
  •   These programs may be covered by your insurance company. Call them to verify if the cover Cardiac Rehabilitation.
• PHASE III Community Exercise and Education
  •   Anyone needing a structured exercise program to improve health and fitness
  •   Requires a physician's referral
  •   Requires a signed consent to participate

Does every phase of the program involve exercise?
Yes, exercise is an important part of your recovery. Here are the exercise elements of each phase:

• PHASE I Exercise
  •   Begins in hospital.
  •   Monitored progressive warm-op exercises and walks with a nurse.
  •   To rebuild stamina (tolerance for exercise) slowly.
• PHASE II Exercise
  •   May begin as soon as two weeks after hospital discharge.
  •   Monitored progressive exercise /treadmill.
  •   One hour, three times per week.
  •   May continue for up to 12 weeks.
  •   These programs may be covered by your insurance company. Call them to see if they cover Cardiac Rehabilitation.
• PHASE III Exercise
  •   A regular maintenance program.
  •   Monday, Wednesday & Friday.
  •   One hour sessions.
  •   Supervised by an Advanced Cardiac Life Support Registered Nurse.
  •   Includes aerobic exercise, Stairmaster, Cybex weight equipment, strengthening and water aerobics (summer only).
  •   Currently held at Ellsworth YMCA

What subjects will be covered in the educational sessions?

• Anatomy/Physiology of the heart and vessels
• What is a heart attack?
• What is angina?
• Medications
  •   Ace Inhibitors
  •   Beta Blockers
  •   Nitrates
  •   Aspirin
• Nutritional Support
• Risk Factor Modification
• Stress Management--Why ME???
• Effects of exercise on the mind and body
• Cardiovascular Disease and sexual activity
• Returning to work

Could you be at risk? KNOW THE FACTS!

• MYTH: Only men have heart attacks.
  FACT:  Men and women are at equal risk for first heart attacks. Post-menopausal women, not on estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), are at GREATER RISK. Women wait longer to seek medical attention.
• MYTH: If I eat a "healthy" diet, exercise, maintain normal weight and blood pressure, don't smoke or have diabetes, I am not at risk for Cardiovascular Disease or a heart attack.
  FACT:  Poor diet choices, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure and lack of routine exercise all contribute to Coronary Artery Disease, even if you have none of these risk factors. HEREDITY is a risk factor over which we have no control. Awareness of heredity factors can reduce your risk of a first heart attack.
• MYTH:   My total cholesterol is under 200 mg/dl (the lab slip says the normal range is 60-200 mg/dl). My cholesterol is normal. Why should I worry?
  FACT:  The latest 1997 national studies on Cholesterol and Coronary Artery Disease, recommended a total cholesterol of less than 150 mg/dl. Men and women with cholesterol of 150 mg/dl are having first heart attacks. Your nurse of physician can explain why.
• MYTH:  If it is not a "pain in my chest", it must not be a heart attack.
  FACT: The "pain" of a heart attack may be felt in the upper abdomen, chest, back, arms or jaw. It can be nagging, subtle, crushing, or stabbing. No two persons have the same type of pain. Some people experience no pain at all. Some heart attack victims experience only nausea and vomiting.
• MYTH:  I don't eat "fat". My cholesterol must be normal.
  FACT: Fat and cholesterol are not the same. The nutritionist or physician can explain why.
• MYTH:  I should really wait and be sure the pain is coming from my heart before I go tot the Emergency Room.
  FACT: 90% of deaths from heart attack occur outside the hospital when people wait too long to seek medical attention. At the first sign of discomfort, call 911, your local ambulance service or come to the Emergency Room.

Additional Services

Here are some other programs that are available at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital to help with your recovery if needed:

• Smoking Cessation
• Lipid Management
• Diabetes Education Group
• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Our Staff

At MCMH we provide your facility with a complete rehab team, which allows us to fully maximize the client's recovery.

For more information, please contact

• Cardiac Rehabilitation
  (207) 664-5434