Kent & Queen Anne’s Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program has been certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). Certification recognizes those programs rigorously reviewed by a national board and found to meet the outlined essential requirements for standards of care.

Cardiac rehabilitation programs are designed to limit the physiological and psychological effects of cardiac illness; reduce the risk for sudden death or relapse; control cardiac symptoms; stabilize and/or improve the patient’s condition; and enhance the patient’s quality of life.

The program at the local hospital was established in 1994 and has served approximately 300 patients. Sherrie Hill, RN, MSN, CCRN, is the coordinator of the program and George M. Young, M.D. is the medical director.

The program involves conditioning exercises that are performed under the close supervision of a qualified, trained medical staff as well as education about how to live with and manage heart disease. Learning the importance of eating a diet low in fat is also emphasized.

For continued support and education for cardiac patients, the cardiac rehabilitation program sponsors a support group, the Healthy Hearts Club, which meets the second Tuesday of every month. Topics and speakers vary from month to month. Anyone interested in learning about heart disease is welcome to attend. The group’s free newsletter is available by calling (410) 778-3300, ext. 2222.

The AACVPR is a national, multi-disciplinary association dedicated to the improvement of clinical practice, promotion of scientific inquiry, and advancement of education for the benefit of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation of professional and the patients they serve. This is the second year it has granted certification to cardiac rehabilitation programs across the country.

-BACK-