Today I’m writing on a subject I know extremely well. As someone who has worked as an exercise physiologist in cardiac and pulmonary rehab at both UNC and Durham Regional Hospital, I have a lot of first-hand experience.  Chances are, over the course of your life, you will know someone –it might even be you– who will have heart or lung disease and be offered the opportunity for rehab. My advice to them (or you) is to sign up as fast as possible.

Rehab services, as they are today, are relatively new. The old school of thought was that people with heart or lung disease should avoid exercise since it would further damage an already sick person. However, over the years, clinical research has shown that to be completely false. This led to the creation of the modern rehab program, which usually consists of a cardiologist/pulmonologist, a program director, cardiac nurses and an exercise physiologist. Programs today are based on a comprehensive approach to help patients not only with the physical aspect of getting better, but also providing mental health, nutrition and health education services.

Upon being referred to a program, you’ll meet with a member of the staff who will explain to you how the program works. Programs are usually twelve weeks in length, and meet 3 days per week for approximately and hour and a half at a time. Upon starting, you will also undergo tests to measure your physical well-being, as well as your mental health state. (Heart and lung disease can take a severe toll on a person’s mindset, especially if they were in good health before their event. UNC offers a cardiac survivors support group as well.)

Based on your test results, the exercise physiologist will prescribe a workout routine for you.  Each time you come to class, you will workout under the watchful eye of the staff who will ensure that you are exercising at an appropriate intensity. The cardiac nurses are a great resource for any questions you have about medications and other health related issues as well. The staff nutritionist will regularly meet with you and discuss your diet. Exercise alone is not enough, so be sure to take to heart whatever the nutritionist says.

Near the end of the twelve weeks, your physical and mental well-being will be retested. I can assure you, if you commit to the program and do as you are instructed, you will come out much healthier and happier than you came in.

Aside from the physical benefits of rehab, it is a great social atmosphere as well. You will be in a class where everyone has something in common, so it’s easy to make friends and support one another. I still see many former patients who loved their time in the program, and continue to exercise and use the resources we provided them. Rehab can be a life-changing event; I witness it every time I speak to a former patient who cannot believe they waited so long to start exercising and taking better care of themselves.

To conclude, while suffering from a cardiac or pulmonary event can be a terrifying experience, these rehab programs were specifically created to help get patients through the aftermath. Rehab programs are proven to be safe, supportive places to help you get back on your feet, and hopefully in better shape than you were before.

Related Stories
‹
Surgery for Back Pain? Think Twice
Back pain can be an enormous obstacle to your daily life. Our spines are so central to every movement we make that any discomfort or pain can make ordinary activities unbearable. There are numerous causes of back pain, from muscle spasm to disc problems to bone deformities. And there are almost as many kinds of […]
The Skinny on Obesity: Part III
Low carb and high fat diets, high carb low fat diets, exercise programs named with mental illness monikers, shoes designed to tone and firm the bottom, pillows designed to keep us cool while we sleep… What’s next for a nation of consumers who got into trouble consuming too much in the first place? In the […]
Cocktails For Cancer
Cancer affects us all. But a special few of use take the time to do something to work towards a cure. Back in June of 2007, I photographed the wedding of Leah Fowler to Justin Waldrop. It was apparent to me then that they had an extraordinarily large and close network of friends and family. […]
Letter to the Editor
At the Chapel Hill celebration honoring Dr. King Monday, a variety of speakers were invited to participate in the the town remembrance. This included Orange County Democratic Party Chairman, Matt Hughes, who used the opportunity honoring Dr. King to publicly attack Republicans, describing them as “drunk with power” and their policies “unjust” and “evil.” Both […]
3 Steps to Easy and Effective Goal Setting
You’ve heard it a million times: “Goal setting is important,” but what have you actually done about it? If you are like most people the answer is… nothing. That is not your fault. Regardless of your education level, it is very unlikely you were ever taught to set goals. While schools do a remarkable job […]
North Korea, North Carolina, and a Pulitzer Prize Winning Book
The Pulitzer Prize for fiction was awarded this week to Adam Johnson for “The Orphan Master’s Son” set in North Korea. It is a very timely selection, given our interest in, puzzlement about, and fear of that country. I have revised and updated a column I wrote last year about the book and North Carolina’s […]
Nurse Tips: Double-Check Your Medications
Americans are taking more medications than ever before. Most of these meds allow us to live healthier (and longer), but it’s important to make sure that they are taken correctly. Over the next few months, the Nurse Tip of the Month will give you some helpful hints about your medications and how to make sure […]
Exercise & The Brain: New Benefits
Mike Clark is an Exercise Physiologist and Personal Trainer at the Duke Center for Living at Fearrington. He received his BA in Exercise and Sports Science from UNC. It is well established that a structured exercise program can help prevent heart disease, stroke, cancer, and obesity. But what about the brain? When I was in […]
Time To Bring The Bunnies
If you’ve had the pedal to the metal, pushing hard to make sales quotas, production schedules and tax deadlines, I encourage you to take a break for a morale and productivity boosting bit of nonsense. And if you need an off the wall, hoppin’ idea…this one certainly qualifies. Several of the seventeen divisions of The […]
Fitness Myths Debunked
My apologies for being the bearer of bad news, but we have all been fooled in the world of fitness. Even the most discerning consumer of wellness tips, trends and products has been duped into believing both intentional and innocent lies in the industry. There is no need for bitterness toward the professionals in the […]
›