Houston Healthcare’s Health Connections Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center is open for phase II of its program and is set to open for phase III, its maintenance program, on July 1.
Rachel Morris, Wellness/Fitness Program Manager for Health Connections, said their program offers individualized, monitored exercise therapy and education on nutrition and lifestyle changes to help return patients, who’ve experienced a significant cardiac or pulmonary procedure, to an optimal level of health.
“Health Connections focuses on phase II recovery, which includes cardiovascular exercise, strength training and further education about cardiac and pulmonary illnesses,” Morris said. “The center features a 12-week, 36-session program for cardiac patients and an eight-week, 24-session program for pulmonary patients. If you have been hospitalized due to a cardiac or pulmonary event, rehab may begin two weeks after discharge.”
Dr. Madalyn Davidoff is the Cardiac Medical Director for Houston Healthcare, and Dr. Rodrigo Morales is the Pulmonary Medical Director. Davidoff said there are many benefits to improving one’s nutrition and exercising.
“We know that exercise overall decreases the chances of being diagnosed with cancer, or having a stroke, heart attack, fractures, etc.,” Davidoff said. “Soft benefits to exercise are increasing socialization and decreasing potential symptoms of depression. And it’s also important to note that after that time frame of being discharged from the hospital, patients can begin their exercise. A lot of times our family members think after surgery their loved ones should take it easy from here on out, but not regaining your strength cannot be beneficial.”
Morris said the center conducts surveys once patients have completed the phase II program, and answers show how much more the patients’ depression has reduced, how they have gained confidence, and feel better overall.
“Knowledge is power, and when our patients go through our program again they are monitored every step of the way. We have staff members readily available for questions they may have, and it really boosts their health, both physically and mentally,” Morris said. “Then once they have graduated phase II, they can sign up for phase III, which is our maintenance program. In the maintenance program, patients are not monitored by staff, but if they have questions or are not feeling their best while working out, a staff member will then assist them. Phase III is more like a gym, and being a member. Some patients, after they graduate our program, choose to go to a gym within the community, which is great. But I will say that here, we have our nurses, exercise specialists, dietitians and other health professionals on hand to guide you.”
Phase III is set to open back up on July 1. Davidoff also shared that the Houston Health Pavilion is now open for the community to utilize for their walking exercise.
“We are excited to have that available for our community again,” Davidoff said. “For a lot of people it is a safe, clean, flat surfaced and air conditioned facility for them to use for their cardio exercise. Masks are not required while walking around in the pavilion, but are required when visiting a physician’s office.”
For more information about the Houston Healthcare Health Connections Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center, call 478-322-5143 or go online to www.hhc.org.
HHJ News
