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A Healthy Heart

Many of us have treadmills at home. Some gather dust, some serve as a clothes rack and others get a little use. Sometimes it is just not very engaging to be on your treadmill at home by yourself. This piece of equipment can serve a great purpose, especially if you have had a cardiac event and need to rehabilitate. Two local residents have joined with 30 others and participate in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Maintenance program at Mayers Memorial Hospital.

Marty Horn and Bob Downey both agree it is hard to be accountable when you are doing it alone. “Misery loves company,” joked Horn, who has participated in the program four days a week for 13 years. He went on to say that the association with others with similar problems is a great support system. It is also an enjoyable social time.

Downey has gone to the program four days a week for the past six years. He says that he spends two hours per visit and only half of that time is on equipment. “The other half is social time. It is great fellowship and the fringe benefit has been developing many new friendships.”

What is the Cardiac Maintenance? If you have had cardiac stent replacement, cardiac bypass, heart attack, chest pain, valve repair or replacement this program may be for you. Most insurance will pay for 36 visits of cardiac rehabilitation. Following that treatment you can enroll in the maintenance program for a self-pay fee of only $35 per month – unlimited use.

Horn and Downey both concur that the level of care and staff assisting in the program is exceptional. Manager, Trudi Burns is “exceptional and watches you like a hawk,” said Downey.  Burns and her staff monitor the exercise program, take vitals and provide the encouragement needed.

Downey, who will have his 90^th birthday this year, said he doesn’t exercise at home. “I go to the program at Mayers four days a week as a part of my routine. It is important to have my routine and I can tell if I back off from it. I think this is a great program that contributes to my health. I tell a lot of people about it.”

 

The department has bicycles, treadmills, arm ergometer, stairs, weights workout videos and cardio-fit machines. A nurse is present to monitor heart, blood pressure and oxygen levels. The program is offered Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday of each week from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. For more information, contact the department at (530)336-5511 Extension 1178.