In recognition of the 2016 Cardiac Rehabilitation Week, Feb. 14 to 20, St. Mary Medical Center patients Norman Schulte and Ada Whitcomb were crowned the “King and Queen of Hearts” during a special celebration at Spectrum of St. Mary Medical Center. Both patients are active participants in the hospital’s cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program.
“Cardiac Rehab Week is a nationally recognized period of time in February to recognize the role of cardiac rehabilitation in reducing the devastating effects of heart disease,” says Cathy Cofer-Hines, RN, cardiac rehabilitation nurse. “We offer activities throughout the week to celebrate our patients and bring awareness to the importance of the rehabilitation program.”
Schulte entered the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program after undergoing a mitral valve replacement and double coronary artery bypass in 2014. While it was difficult for him to adjust to the medications and abstain from work, Schulte says he found encouragement through his family and fellow rehabilitation patients. His advice for others who have experienced a cardiac event is to “listen to your doctor and continue with rehab.”
Nearly one year ago, Whitcomb underwent a second cardiac surgery, a mitral valve replacement, performed by St. Mary Medical Center Cardiothoracic Surgeon Bradford Blakeman, MD. As part of her recovery, she began rehabilitation and says she feels healthier than she has in a long time. Thanks to her dedication to the program, Whitcomb has lost weight and made lasting heart healthy lifestyle chan-ges. Whitcomb’s advice for successfully achieving lifestyle change is to set short and long term goals to stay motivated, and to listen to what your body is telling you.
Spectrum of St. Mary Medical Center is located just north of the hospital campus at 1345 S. Lake Park Ave., in Hobart. St. Mary Medical Center offers regular screenings that can assess a person’s risk for heart disease and other related medical conditions. Visit www.comhs.org for a complete listing of upcoming screenings and assessments near you.
