Cardiac rehab restores quality of life
for heart attack patients
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Life changes suddenly and drastically for a person who suffers a heart attack, but the staff at The Aroostook Medical Center’s cardiac rehab say a heart episode doesn’t have to stop a person from living a full and productive life. Heart patient Teresa Cyr of Fort Fairfield discovered that when she overcame her reluctance to enter rehab and came out of therapy a happier, healthier person.
Cyr went to bed one evening in January not feeling well. She woke up in the middle of the night sick to her stomach. Her daughter brought her to the hospital later that day, where Cyr learned she had actually suffered a heart attack. She spent the next six days at TAMC.
Cyr never considered herself an active person. She has six grown children and is a grandmother to 10 and a great-grandmother to six. She was busy around her home, gardening, cooking and baking, but never exercised on purpose. In the months and weeks leading up to her heart attack, she noticed a drop in her energy level, but attributed it to normal aging. The thought of exercising for health was quite daunting.
“I was nervous that I couldn’t do it. I was very tired, and I was so weak. I had never done any of those things that they do at cardiac rehab,” said Cyr.
Cyr is hardly alone with her fears, which is why cardiac rehab offers more than just exercise as part of their program.
“Cardiac rehab works by improving the quality of life of an individual who has suffered a life-changing cardiac event by giving them the confidence to continue with living life to the fullest [with] emotional support, education, and an exercise plan in a fun, upbeat and motivating atmosphere,” said Karla Whittaker, RN.
Cyr decided to step out of her comfort zone and give cardiac rehab a shot. She started in February, she couldn’t be more pleased with the results.
“It was even better than I imagined,” said Cyr. “I’m so happy I did it.”
The rehab team custom designs each patient’s recovery program based on individual fitness levels, needs and goals. During the medically supervised sessions, staff monitor heart rate, EKG and blood pressure. Each session provides exercise instruction through the use of state-of-the-art equipment such as treadmills, stationary and recumbent bikes, Nu-Step, free weights, a rowing machine, arm ergometer, and other types of equipment.
Sarah Duncan Caron is a physical therapy aides for cardiac rehab and has a senior fitness specialist certification. She knows how challenging, mentally and physically, recovery after a heart episode can be.
“At cardiac rehab you can expect a safe, friendly and encouraging environment with people who truly care and want to see you reach your goals. We start very slowly for many and follow a safe physical activity program that gradually helps you become stronger,” said Caron.
“People who graduate from our program know their limitations and are able to go back to loving and living life the way they did before their heart condition or event. During rehab you are surrounded by others who’ve just been through a similar event, and you build a really wonderful support system,” said Caron.
Cyr knows firsthand the support that is available and offers her sincerest recommendation to anyone finding themselves in the same situation she was in at the beginning of this year.
“It was the best thing I could do for myself, and I would recommend rehab for anybody. It has given me a lot of confidence. I do practically everything that I did before, except I’m more careful, and I take more time to do it,” said Cyr, who is now planning to continue her regular exercise through TAMC’s Healthy Heart Program.
Interested individuals can speak to their doctor or give cardiac rehab a call at (207)768-4307. TAMC’s cardiac rehab is located in A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital at 140 Academy Street in Presque Isle.
