En Español

Taking care of your heart

St. Charles Bend's Cardiac Rehabilitation program offers medically supervised exercise, education and support

Last spring, at age 78, Roger Gildersleeve ran the Pole, Pedal, Paddle by himself, something he's done most years since the Bend multi-sport race began more than three decades ago. He crossed the finish line and said he felt OK, but his wife said he looked horrible. A few days later he visited his physician for a check-up and she ran some tests.

Before he knew it, Gildersleeve was admitted to St. Charles Bend for a triple bypass heart surgery. "I have a family history of heart disease," Gildersleeve said. "So I think I was fortunate that I have stayed relatively fit over the years. Otherwise this probably would have happened sooner."

Patients who have had cardiac events can benefit from participating in the Cardiac Rehabilitation program, which is designed to keep patients out of the hospital. EKG rhythms, heart rate and blood pressure are monitored by specialized staff members during classes.

Although Gildersleeve, a retired instructor of health and physical education at Central Oregon Community College, knows a thing or two about fitness, he decided to enroll in St. Charles Bend's Cardiac Rehabilitation program. The program offers medically supervised exercise and education to patients who have had cardiac events including heart attacks, stents or heart surgery. Gildersleeve's wife, Laura Jo, joined the class as well and he said they both learned a lot.

Denise Born, cardiac rehab coordinator for St. Charles Bend, explained that when combined with medications, cardiac rehab programs have been shown to reduce mortality in heart patients by 25 percent. Physicians recommend cardiac rehab for nearly all heart attack and heart surgery patients, but not all decide to attend.

"People have this conception that unless the doctor says I have to go, I'll just do my own thing," said Jason Gifford, an exercise specialist in the cardiac rehab program. "Everybody has things they do well and everybody has things they need to learn."

The cardiac rehab program is designed to keep patients out of the hospital, Born said. She explained that before patients begin their cardiac rehab they undergo an initial evaluation. During class their EKG rhythms are monitored along with their heart rate and blood pressure. Staff members are trained to notice when problems arise and consult with patients' physicians when necessary.

Patients typically attend cardiac rehab three days a week for three months after a cardiac event. Staff members help patients manage blood pressure, control cholesterol, lose weight, stop tobacco use and manage stress. After they "graduate" many continue on in the community exercise classes offered by the hospital. Born said patients gain insight on how to exercise and eat right for better health as well as receive support from fellow heart attack survivors.

"I can't recommend it enough," said Gildersleeve, who is back to biking and skiing regularly. "I think for all of us that have had heart surgery — bypass or stents or defibrillators — the rehab is really good."

For more information on the St. Charles Bend Cardiac Rehabilitation program call 541-706-2696.