Cardiac Rehab Successful for Heart Failure

At 69, Bob Friedel may look the picture of health. But looks can be deceiving.
“I have heart failure. My heart was only operating at 25%,” says Friedel.
His diagnosis led him to the cardiac rehab program at Lee Memorial Health System. Newly expanded Medicare criteria allow millions of people like Bob to benefit.
“Cardiac rehab is a comprehensive program for heart patients. We do a lot of work with patients regarding their diet and the risk factors for heart disease. Smoking cessation, weight loss,” explains registered nurse Marion Harris-Barter. She works with patients in the cardiac rehab program at Lee Memorial Health System. “The main thing patients see when they come in, is that they’re exercising three days a week.”
What sets this gym apart is oversight. Everyone who exercises here is not only monitored, they’re heart monitored. To make sure they’re getting the most out of their workout.
While patients work up a sweat, someone keeps tabs on their heart rate and rhythm.
“We can see on the computer screen. So we know how hard to push them. And if we see that we’re pushing them too hard we it slow down,” says Lee Memorial Health System exercise physiologist Rosa Godoy.
Up to now the 3-month program covered heart attack, angina, stents and surgery including transplants, bypass, graphs or heart repairs. Studies show it cuts the 6-year death rate in half. And it’s proving effective teaching patients to better manage their condition.
“With our heart failure patients the goal is to keep them out of the hospital,” says Harris-Barter.
It’s giving Bob’s heart a boost.
“The other day my heart was operating at 45%. So it’s increasing every week.”
A success story- as the health system’s first heart failure patient graduates from rehab
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Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.
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