By: Chelsea Eckel

I’m too young to worry about heart disease. I’d know if I had high blood pressure because there are warning signs. I’ll know when I’m having a heart attack because I’ll have chest pain. Diabetes won’t threaten my heart as long as I take my medication. Heart disease runs in my family, so there’s nothing I can do to prevent it.

I don’t need to have my cholesterol checked until I’m middle-aged. Heart failure means the heart stops beating. This pain in my legs must be a sign of aging. I’m sure it has nothing to do with my heart. My heart is beating really fast. I must be having a heart attack. I should avoid exercise after having a heart attack.

A professionally developed program to help people recover from: Heart attacks Heart surgery Stenting Angioplasty Provides education and counseling services which: Increase physical fitness Reduce cardiac symptoms Improve health Reduce future heart problems

You have or had a certain heart condition! You want to change your lifestyle! You had a heart procedure or surgery!

A medical evaluation figures out your needs and limitations A rehab/exercise program is then developed for you Who works with you? Physical therapist Exercise physiologist Healthcare professional Dietitian

Learning to measure your own blood pressure and heart rate Increasing your limitations How to manage your condition with education and counseling Creating a healthy eating plan Support to return to normal activities or work

The program is designed to meet your needs Depending on your condition will determine the duration of visits Some programs last 3 months others years

Reduce risks of : Overall dying Future heart attacks and problems Can reduce stress Improve ability to move around Help you stay independent Improve over all health

Lower blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rate Improves skeletal muscles strength and endurance Promotes favorable exercise habits

You can be referred or ask your doctor about a local program It is often covered by health plans Offered in places such as: Hospitals Senior centers Civic centers

* Virtua Cardiac Rehab located in Voorhees and Sewell, NJ Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 7:30 am to 5 pm Tuesday and Thursday: 7:30 am to 4 pm

To decrease the heart’s need for oxygen To reduce your triglyceride and LDL (bad cholesterol) levels To increase your HDL (good cholesterol) levels To lower blood pressure To keep vessels clear of blood clots and plaque build up To help manage your weight

Walking is a good exercise to start after heart surgery It is gentle on the body You can go at your own pace Always start slowly Biking (stationary or regular) after a few weeks

WeekMinimum Time (min) Times Per Day Pace Stroll Comfortable Comfortable Comfortable /Stride out Comfortable /Stride out Comfortable /Stride out

Expect to breathe faster, increased heart rate, sweating and muscle fatigue. If you feel these symptoms: Sever heart pain Excessive shortness of breath Excessive sweating Blurred vision Dizziness, light-headed Nausea Cramping in legs and arms Stop!

Eating a healthy diet will prevent future complications of heart disease Eating healthy will also speed up your recovery and healing It will also provide the right nutrients to give your body energy It will help you build muscle and strengthen bones

Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. Choose foods low in fat and cholesterol Eat less salt or sodium Cut back on sugar and sweets Eat more carbohydrates (potatoes, rice, pasta, vegetables) and fiber Limit portion sizes

Heart disease is leading cause of death for both men and women Every 33 seconds someone in the US dies from cardiovascular disease Coronary heart disease kills 380,000 people annually By 2020 heart disease will be the leading cause of death world wide Every year about 720,000 Americans have hearts attacks An estimated 80 million Americans have one or more types of heart disease

Here are some links to help you at home Blood Pressure Tracker Blood Pressure Tracker BMI Calculator BMI Calculator Medical Contact List Medical Contact List Medication Chart Survival Skills Checklist Survival Skills Checklist