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Red Cap Survivors walk for life
After suffering a heart attack or going through open heart surgery, Methodist Hospital's cardiopulmonary rehab patients can't even begin to think about exercise, much less go for a three mile walk. Yet after attending rehabilitation and education sessions, 13 people in Methodist's rehab class will don red baseball caps identifying them as survivors and walk as part of the American Heart Association's Heart Walk.
"This is what cardiac rehab is all about," said Norma Reitz, team leader for Methodists' cardio pulmonary rehabilitation service. "The American Heart Association contributes so much in terms of education. All of these patients have benefited from their research."
There are 13 million Americans with coronary heart disease and nearly 2,600 Americas die from cardiovascular disease each day. The Heart Walk will feature over 1 million walkers in 600 events to raise funds to combat the country's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, heart disease and stroke. As the Exclusive Title Healthcare Sponsor of the American Heart Association, Methodist Hospitals' staff and patients will be among those hitting the pavement.
"There is a lot of camaraderie among the patients in these classes, they are very supportive of each other," Reitz said. "They develop friendships because they are able to be with other people in their situation."
Cardiac rehab programs are key to preventing recurrent heart attacks, according to the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association believes that cardiac rehabilitation programs remain underused in this country, with only 10 to 20 percent of the 2 million eligible patents each year participating. A recent study shows cardiac death was 26 percent lower in rehabilitation patients who were exercise-trained compared with those who received 'usual care.'
"It's a program primarily made up of exercise and education," Reitz said. "Nurses talk to patients about medication, and a dietician on staff discusses low fat options, cholesterol and sodium."
The Lake County group will be walking on Sept. 23rd at the Lake County Fairgrounds. Patients from Porter County will walk the following Saturday at Coffee Creek.
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